Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated his commitment to a conducive investment environment for the Nigerian Diaspora looking to invest in the country.
The president committed to the National Diaspora Day and Award Ceremony, NDD 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume, the President reminded the Nigerian Diaspora that his government was Diaspora-friendly, with his Renewed Hope Foreign Policy centred on four pillars in the 4D Agenda, viz. Democracy. Demography, Development and Diaspora.
“We will continue to provide an enabling platform for effective policies for the Diaspora to galvanise your support for this administration and concretise our democracy. Optimising your potential and setting a good example for other African countries to emulate,” he said.
The president also pledged to address the challenges faced by the diaspora, making room for the benefits of migration through engagement with the diaspora for national development and growth.
Addressing the theme for this year’s NDD, “Optimising Formidable Diaspora Potential for National Development and Growth”, the Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, suggested that, in line with the President’s renewed hope agenda, a presidential fellowship programme be set up to foster knowledge transfer.
Leadership Voices Launch #NDD2025”
The inaugural speeches delivered critical guidance for this year’s Diaspora Day:
“Beyond remittances lies our collective potential to transform Nigeria” – Hon. Dabiri-Erewa
“Our diaspora represents both our pride abroad and partners at home” -… pic.twitter.com/RkiYjYxA9U— Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (@nidcom_gov) July 25, 2025
“We suggest the introduction of a diaspora presidential fellowship programme, which aims at encouraging diasporas to return home on a six-month sabbatical to provide knowledge transfer, brain gain and intellectual property initiatives to the nation. This will not only give the diaspora community a sense of belonging in the nation-building but will also serve as a knowledge-driven giveback initiative for the development of the fatherland,” she said.
Dr. Dabiri-Erewa also commended the Nigerian government and particularly the diaspora community for their contributions to the nation’s growth through remittances, diplomacy and skills transfer.
“May I also state that the contributions of the diaspora community to national development cannot be overemphasised. According to the World Bank statistics, the Nigerian diaspora has remitted over 99 billion US dollars into the system in the last six years. This is huge and highly commendable,” she added.
Similarly, the Nigerian Minister of Interior, Mr. Tunji Ojo, applauded the Diaspora for their remittances and harped on the government’s commitment to favourable collaborations and policies.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, Senator Aniekan Bassey, called for a platform to harness the full potential of Nigerian citizens abroad.
“Identification is not just for formalities; it is for leveraging minds for national transformation. Nigerians in the diaspora must be seen as equal partners in nation-building,” Senator Bassey noted. He further explained the committee’s focus on promoting business development policies and diaspora education platforms while advocating policies that tackle discrimination and boost tourism, innovation, and capital repatriation,” he noted.
International organisations and partners were not left out of the goodwill message delivery.
The Chief of Mission, IOM Nigeria, Ms. Sharon Dimanche, urged the Nigerian government to optimise diaspora potentials through inclusivity, coherence, and long-term commitment. This, she said, means “expanding political participation (including voting rights), recognising dual citizenship rights, and establishing credible platforms for dialogue and co-creation.”
She also pledged the IOM’s commitment to supporting the Government of Nigeria in translating diaspora potential into concrete development outcomes.
Also, the Head of Office, International Centre for Migration Policy Development, ICMPD Nigeria, Isabelle Wolfsgruber, assured NIDCOM of its partnership to ensure inclusive migration governance that fully integrates diaspora contributions.
“We are committed to scaling up our engagement to harness the potential of the Nigerian diaspora for the country’s development, such as we are strengthening the capacities of heritage institutions in Lagos for sustainable heritage festival development through diaspora collaboration, funded by the EU Global Diaspora Facility. As we celebrate today, we are reminded that migration, when well-governed, serves as a powerful driver of prosperity, resilience, and inclusive growth. To the Nigerian diaspora, your patriotism, resilience, and commitment continue to inspire and uplift Nigeria’s path towards a brighter future,” she noted.
The event also featured the launching of the “Home and Abroad Housing Platform” (a platform for easy housing ownership for the Nigerian diaspora), panel discussions, the first rendition of the NiDCOM anthem, cultural displays and more goodwill messages.