The Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has disclosed that Nigeria recorded over ₦673 million worth of investments through the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS) in 2024.
Briefing journalists ahead of the 2025 edition of the summit, Dabiri-Erewa said the initiative has also injected over ₦500 million into Nigeria’s local economy by engaging service providers, creatives, and small businesses since its inception in 2018.
She announced that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will serve as the Special Guest of Honour at this year’s summit, scheduled to hold from November 11 to 13, 2025, in Abuja, with more than 3,000 physical and virtual participants expected to attend.
Themed “Fast-Tracking Regional and National Development by Mobilising Diaspora Investment,” the 8th edition of the Summit will spotlight critical sectors driving Nigeria’s transformation, including Finance and Fintech, ICT, Creative Industries, Sports and Entertainment, Agribusiness, Healthcare, Education, Real Estate and Infrastructure, Manufacturing, and Energy.
Dabiri-Erewa reaffirmed that the NDIS has evolved into a credible and impactful platform connecting Nigerian entrepreneurs with global investors. “The last edition attracted over 1,500 participants — including 236 investors and 1,197 business owners — who presented 56 investment pitches across eight key sectors, generating about ₦673 million in deals,” she said.
According to her, the Creative, Entertainment, and Sports sector dominated with 39 deals, while Infrastructure and Real Estate attracted the highest investment value of about ₦201 million. The Energy sector followed with ₦172 million across four deals, and Agribusiness secured ₦103 million from 28 deals.
“These investments are not just figures; they translate into jobs, business expansion, and youth empowerment,” Dabiri-Erewa added, citing examples such as GAIN Business Incubator’s ₦200 million capital raise and Xtralarge Farms’ international distribution partnerships.
She noted that state governments, including Ondo, Nasarawa, and Borno, have leveraged the summit to attract investors for key development projects, such as Ondo State’s port initiative, which later gained Federal Government approval.
Dabiri-Erewa described the NDIS as “more than a conference — a catalyst for enterprise, sustainable partnership, and national development,” urging Nigerians at home and abroad to seize emerging investment opportunities through the platform.
Also speaking, the Chairperson of the Nigeria Diaspora Summit Initiative (NDSI), Dr. Badewa Adejugbe-Williams, said the summit continues to serve as a bridge connecting the diaspora with local opportunities.
She stated that this year’s theme aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to diversify the economy and promote inclusive growth.
The NDIS, jointly organised by NiDCOM and NDSI, connects diaspora investors with local entrepreneurs across multiple sectors. Interested participants are encouraged to register via www.ndisng.com.
