By Favour Chioma
Nigerians in the diaspora invested an estimated ₦673 million in local businesses through a government-backed initiative in 2024, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has revealed.
Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, disclosed the figure during a press briefing in Abuja ahead of the 2025 Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS), scheduled to hold from November 11–13. She called on Nigerians both at home and abroad to take advantage of emerging investment opportunities, stressing that increased diaspora engagement is critical to accelerating the nation’s economic growth.
Themed “Fast Tracking Regional & National Development by Mobilising Diaspora Investment,” the 2025 summit aims to deepen collaboration between diaspora investors and local entrepreneurs.
NDIS: A Catalyst for Enterprise and Development
Since its inception in 2018, the NDIS has evolved into what Dabiri-Erewa described as a “trusted platform” for driving direct, credible, and impactful diaspora investments into Nigeria’s economy.
According to her, the 2024 edition of the Summit attracted over 1,500 participants, including 236 investors, resulting in 56 investment deals worth ₦673 million. The creative sector led with 39 deals, followed by infrastructure, real estate, agribusiness, and energy.
“NDIS has grown beyond a mere conference it has become a catalyst for enterprise and sustainable development, creating jobs and connecting our global talent pool to the national development agenda,” Dabiri-Erewa stated.
She also noted that several state governments, including Ondo, Nasarawa, and Borno, have leveraged the Summit in previous years to attract vital investments for regional development.
Aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who continues to drive economic diversification under his Renewed Hope Agenda, is expected to serve as the Special Guest of Honour at this year’s event.
Also speaking, Mrs. Badewa Adejugbe-Williams, Chairperson of the Nigeria Diaspora Summit Initiative (NDSI), described the summit as a “vital bridge” for unlocking the economic and intellectual potential of Nigerians abroad. She emphasized that the 2025 theme aligns with the President’s vision for inclusive and sustainable development.
Jointly organized by NiDCOM and NDSI, the Summit will provide a networking platform for diaspora investors and local entrepreneurs across key sectors such as Fintech, ICT, Healthcare, Manufacturing, and Energy, further cementing the diaspora’s role in Nigeria’s economic transformation.
