The 2025 National Diaspora Day celebration concluded with an award dinner ceremony at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja, recognising outstanding Nigerians for their contributions to national development.
Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, congratulated the awardees and assured them of the government’s support.
“We are building a new Nigeria. A nation that rewards excellence, protects the vulnerable, fosters innovation and leverages every global resource, especially its people to uplift itself,” he said.
The President pledged to prioritise the Nigerian diaspora, describing them as key drivers of development through remittances, diplomacy, and skills transfer.
He further stressed the administration’s commitment to strengthening diaspora engagement through improved services at foreign missions and strategic initiatives.
“Through NiDCOM we have developed more strategic platforms for engagement, including the diaspora investment summit, the diaspora housing scheme and the diaspora data mapping project which helps us identify and connect the Nigerian professionals worldwide,” he said.
President Tinubu also commended the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) for sustaining the annual awards, which he said celebrate excellence, motivate recipients, and inspire others.
Similarly, the Chairman of NiDCOM, Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, congratulated the awardees for their contributions to national development and applauded the local planning committee, sponsors, and partners for the successful organisation of the event.
The awards spanned various sectors, including education and STEM, engineering, medicine and healthcare, leadership and politics, media and entertainment, philanthropy, housing and real estate, and diaspora engagement.
Notable awardees included the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Abigail Katung; Group Managing Director of ARCO Group, Engr. Alfred Okoigun; philanthropist Barr. Justina Chioma Ohaa; and Prof. Akintunde Akinade, Member of the Board of Trustees, NIDO-Qatar.
PIAK