The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has called for stronger partnerships between Nigeria and its diaspora professionals to harness their expertise, investments and global networks for national development.
Dabiri-Erewa said the growing number of Nigerians attaining influential positions in international healthcare, academia, corporate leadership and public service demonstrated the country’s wealth of talent abroad.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, she urged Nigeria to move beyond celebrating individual accomplishments to establishing practical partnerships that would translate diaspora achievements into tangible benefits at home.
She linked the achievements to President Bola Tinubu’s 4Ds foreign policy agenda of Development, Democracy, Demography and Diaspora, which recognises Nigerians abroad as strategic partners in national progress.
Among the professionals recognised was Dr Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, who assumed office as president of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) for the 2026–2028 term, becoming the first African and Nigerian to lead the global organisation.
Her appointment is expected to strengthen international advocacy for cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment and improved access to care.
Dabiri-Erewa also celebrated Professor Ibrahim Abubakar, appointed chief executive officer-designate of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), a global partnership focused on vaccine development and preparedness against epidemics and pandemics.
Abubakar, a professor of infectious disease epidemiology at University College London and its vice-provost for health, is expected to join CEPI in March 2027 and assume the chief executive position in April.
His appointment comes amid growing international efforts to strengthen vaccine research and improve responses to emerging infectious diseases.
Another Nigerian recognised was Dr Bolu Ogunyemi, a Nigerian-born physician elected to lead the Canadian Medical Association, becoming the first Black physician to head the association.
Ogunyemi, a clinical associate professor of medicine at Memorial University of Newfoundland, has experience in clinical practice, medical education, administration and healthcare advocacy.
In public service and academia, Professor Christian Harrison was recognised for his reported appointment to the United Kingdom’s Government Skills College of Experts, which provides specialist knowledge and evidence-based advice on government skills and public-sector capacity.
Dabiri-Erewa also highlighted Ugwechi Amadi’s appointment as senior vice-president and chief strategy officer of McDonald’s, the global restaurant company.
Amadi, who previously held leadership positions at Nike and Boston Consulting Group, joined McDonald’s after serving as executive vice-president and head of corporate strategy and development at LIV Golf.
The NiDCOM chief also recognised Dr Salamat Ahuoiza Aliu-Ibrahim, Nigeria’s first female neurosurgeon, whose appointment as medical director of a children’s hospital in the United States was reported by the commission and Nigerian media.
Aliu-Ibrahim’s career highlights the achievements of Nigerian women in specialised medicine and the potential for international professional experience to support healthcare development.
Also celebrated was Ifeanyi Ruth Umunna, elected co-president of Harvard Law School’s student government for the 2026–2027 academic year alongside Tenzin Yonten.
The appointments span global health advocacy, epidemic preparedness, medical leadership, public-sector development, corporate strategy, specialised medicine and legal education, illustrating the diversity of expertise within Nigeria’s diaspora community.
Dabiri-Erewa called for stronger knowledge-sharing arrangements, mentoring programmes, investment partnerships and institutional cooperation between Nigerians abroad and organisations in the country.
She said such collaborations could help Nigerian universities and research institutions expand international partnerships, improve professional training and gain access to specialised expertise.
In healthcare, she noted, engagement with diaspora doctors and researchers could support training, research and knowledge exchange, while partnerships with professionals in business and technology could promote investment, entrepreneurship and access to international markets.
The commission’s position underscores that diaspora contributions extend beyond financial remittances to include professional skills, research collaborations, global networks and opportunities for Nigerian institutions to engage with international markets.
However, translating individual achievements into sustainable national benefits would require structured and sustained engagement, including professional exchanges, research partnerships, mentoring initiatives and investment programmes linked to local development priorities.
Dabiri-Erewa maintained that Nigerians abroad should be recognised not only for their individual successes but also for the opportunities their expertise and international connections could create for the country.
She said stronger engagement with diaspora professionals would help build institutional capacity, expand economic opportunities, improve public services and inspire younger Nigerians to pursue excellence in their respective fields.
