From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
In a high-level meeting held in Abuja, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Usman, and the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, aligned strategies aimed at maximising the role of the Nigerian diaspora in critical sectors of the economy.
In a statement signed by Gabriel Odu, Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, the discussions centred on measurable outcomes in health, remittances, climate change, and trade—vital areas where diaspora engagement can accelerate Nigeria’s national development goals.
Usman emphasised the administration’s determination to prioritise initiatives that deliver tangible results.
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“The Nigerian diaspora are vital partners in national development,” she remarked. “Our goal is to ensure their contributions are fully captured and integrated within the administration’s framework focused on high-impact results.”
Dabiri-Erewa proposed focusing attention on two key areas: establishing a Diaspora Trust Fund and recognising Nigerians worldwide who trace their ancestry to the country through DNA technology.
She explained, “The Diaspora Trust Fund will provide a sustainable resource pool, fuelled by diaspora contributions, to finance essential national projects. This will boost confidence, enhance remittances, and foster transparent collective ownership of development efforts.”
Dabiri-Erewa also highlighted the cultural and economic benefits of acknowledging individuals who have connected to Nigeria via genetic tracing. “Honouring these individuals strengthens cultural identity and promotes Nigeria’s global image, which can lead to increased tourism, investment, and cultural diplomacy,” she added.
Furthermore, she advocated for the establishment of structured incentives to encourage diaspora returnees to invest and start businesses within Nigeria. “Creating an enabling environment for our returnees is crucial if we want to harness their full potential for national growth,” Dabiri-Erewa stated.
Both officials praised the resilience and achievements of Nigerians abroad and reaffirmed their commitment to leveraging diaspora resources and talents as a cornerstone of the Tinubu administration’s development agenda.
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