Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on Nigerians in the Diaspora to channel their resources and expertise into investments in the country’s infrastructure, small businesses, and human capital development to accelerate national growth.
Speaking at the opening of the 8th Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS) in Abuja, Shettima—represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed—said the Tinubu administration is creating an enabling environment for diaspora investments under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The three-day summit, themed “Fast-Tracking Regional and National Development by Mobilising Diaspora Investment,” brought together government officials, investors, and entrepreneurs to explore opportunities for leveraging diaspora capital to drive development.
Shettima said the forum aligns with President Tinubu’s objectives of attracting investment, creating jobs, and building human capital.
“To our brothers and sisters in the diaspora, I extend a heartfelt call: come home, not only physically but economically. Invest in our roads, our startups, and our people,” he urged.
The Vice President emphasised that the government’s reforms—including the unification of exchange rates and removal of fuel subsidies—are part of long-term measures to stabilise the economy and boost investor confidence.
“Difficult decisions are being made for sustainable growth. We are laying a foundation for a Nigeria that works — not just for today, but for generations to come,” he said.
Shettima noted that the administration’s focus on transparency, accountability, and policy consistency aims to assure investors of stability and returns, while efforts are ongoing to tackle security challenges through intelligence-driven operations and regional collaboration.
Also speaking, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, disclosed that the government’s diversification policy has attracted over $1.3 billion in mining investments within a year. He said over 3,000 inactive licenses had been revoked to sanitise the sector and encourage credible investors, adding that all new applications must include local mineral processing plans.
“Mining is the new oil,” Alake declared, noting that partnerships with diaspora professionals are being sought to build refineries, training institutions, and logistics infrastructure for the sector.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, urged Nigerians at home and abroad to promote a positive image of the country, stressing that “no dollar will come into a country people speak ill of.” He cited Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list as evidence of international confidence in the administration’s reforms.
“Every Nigerian is an ambassador. The way we talk about our country affects how investors perceive us,” Idris said, adding that the government will continue engaging the diaspora through structured public diplomacy and digital outreach.
In her remarks, the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described Nigerians abroad as one of the nation’s greatest assets, noting that they remitted $25 billion in 2024 — the highest in Africa.
She said the goal now is to go beyond remittances by channeling diaspora capital and expertise into sustainable investments that create jobs and spur inclusive growth.
Dabiri-Erewa announced that the Commission is developing a Diaspora Investment Trust Fund and working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Central Bank of Nigeria to streamline remittance channels and safeguard investors.
“We are committed to making every Nigerian abroad feel safe and proud to invest back home,” she said, praising the diaspora community as “ambassadors of excellence” whose contributions to global innovation, healthcare, and education continue to bring pride to the nation.
