Nigeria has stepped up efforts to attract diaspora-driven investment, with the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, declaring that the country is open and ready for business.
Speaking in Silicon Valley at a pre-event dinner ahead of the African Diaspora Investment Symposium 2026, Dabiri-Erewa urged global investors—particularly Nigerians abroad—to tap into the country’s vast and largely untapped opportunities.
The event, hosted at Santa Clara University, convened African and international stakeholders under the theme, “Bridging Africa & Silicon Valley: Shaping the Future of Innovation, Investment, and Inclusive Growth.”
Dabiri-Erewa said Nigeria is deliberately positioning its diaspora as a strategic driver of economic growth by leveraging their expertise, capital and global networks. She noted that ongoing reforms under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu are aimed at creating an enabling environment for investments in key sectors such as technology, infrastructure and entrepreneurship.
According to her, the country is shifting focus from remittance inflows to structured, long-term investments capable of delivering sustainable development and innovation.
“The Nigerian diaspora remains one of our strongest assets,” she said, emphasising that deeper engagement would unlock transformative opportunities for both the country and its citizens abroad.
The NiDCOM boss also commended Almaz Negash, founder of the African Diaspora Network, for fostering cross-continental collaboration through the platform.
In addition to the dinner, Dabiri-Erewa held a working session with Nigerian professionals in the United States, many of whom expressed willingness to partner with NiDCOM on development-focused initiatives.
The engagements drew a broad mix of African and American investors, innovators and policymakers, reinforcing calls for stronger linkages between Africa and the global technology ecosystem, and a transition toward impactful diaspora investments capable of shaping the continent’s economic future.
