Nigeria is actively seeking to integrate the skills and financial power of its citizens abroad through two major new programs unveiled by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM). The agency has officially launched the Connected Diaspora x DOWA Start-Up Challenge and the Connected Diaspora Flagship Event 2025, initiatives specifically designed to harness the innovation, expertise, and enterprise of Nigerians across the globe.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman and CEO of NiDCOM, announced the programs at a news conference in Lagos, describing them as timely and transformative steps to tap into the professional strength and creativity of the diaspora.
Connected Diaspora x DOWA Start-Up Challenge
The Start-Up Challenge, themed “Building, Breaking and Believing in Nigeria,” is aimed at galvanizing innovators living overseas to contribute directly to the nation’s economic expansion.
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Primary Goal: To energize innovators abroad by promoting knowledge transfer, enterprise development, and strategic investment back into Nigeria’s rapidly expanding economy.
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Target Audience: Exceptional ideas and impactful ventures created by Nigerians living overseas.
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Incentive: The challenge offers significant recognition and cash prizes of up to ₦1 million to spotlight winning concepts and support their implementation.
Connected Diaspora Flagship Event 2025
The companion initiative, the Connected Diaspora Flagship Event 2025, is positioned as the major convening platform to facilitate the goals of the Start-Up Challenge and enhance overall engagement.
According to a statement released by NiDCOM, these initiatives underscore the government’s strategic recognition of the diaspora as a critical partner for national economic growth, building on previous efforts to link international expertise with local technological development.
