A global group of Black men whose ancestors were taken as slaves from Africa and have recently traced their roots to Nigeria through DNA testing are appealing to President Bola Tinubu to grant them Nigerian citizenship. They have also pledged to bring investments worth trillions of dollars into the Nigerian economy.
Speaking at a pre-event briefing in Abuja on Monday, Archbishop Chidiebere Ogbu, President of the African Diaspora Union (AFRIDU), disclosed this initiative ahead of the International Gathering in Honor of Africans in Diaspora, scheduled for October 18-27, 2024, in Abuja and other parts of Nigeria. The event, organized by AFRIDU in partnership with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), aims to reconnect African descendants worldwide with their ancestral homeland.
Ogbu emphasized that many descendants of African slaves, now living in Europe, the Americas, and the Caribbean, are eager to reclaim their heritage and contribute to Nigeria’s development. He noted that President Tinubu has been urged to grant citizenship to those who have traced their lineage back to Nigeria.
“These individuals, whose ancestors were forcibly taken over 500 years ago, are willing to invest trillions of dollars into Nigeria’s economy. Granting them citizenship would not only recognize their heritage but also boost Foreign Direct Investment,” Ogbu said.
He urged Nigeria to follow the example of other African nations that have created legal pathways for diaspora descendants to obtain citizenship. Ogbu described the upcoming gathering as an opportunity for many in the diaspora to return to Africa, not just as visitors, but as individuals reclaiming their personal and historical connections.
Nigeria, which played a significant role in the transatlantic slave trade, holds particular significance for those seeking to reconnect with their roots, making this event a historic moment for African Diaspora integration.
