Nigeria is turning to one of its most powerful yet underutilized assets — its global diaspora — as a new wave of investment and innovation takes center stage in national development efforts.
In November 2025, the country will host the 8th Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS) in Abuja, a high-level gathering aimed at linking Nigerians abroad with local opportunities across technology, health, agriculture, and the creative economy. The event will feature President Bola Tinubu as Special Guest of Honour, reflecting the government’s growing recognition of the diaspora’s role in rebuilding and diversifying the nation’s economy.
According to Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman and CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the summit has evolved from a networking event into a catalyst for real economic impact. “The summit isn’t just about discussions anymore; it’s about action and measurable outcomes,” she said.
Since its debut in 2018, the NDIS has mobilized significant capital from Nigerians abroad — with the 2024 edition alone attracting ₦673 million in new investment deals. But its influence extends further: the event has injected over ₦500 million into local small businesses through logistics, hospitality, and creative contracts, proving that diaspora engagement benefits communities long before the projects even begin.
This year’s theme, “Fast-Tracking Regional and National Development by Mobilising Diaspora Investment,” captures the urgency of the moment. As global economies adapt to shifting trade and technology landscapes, Nigeria is looking beyond its borders — to the millions of skilled, resourceful Nigerians abroad — for partnerships that can reshape its development story.
Rather than seeing migration as a loss, the summit reframes it as an opportunity: every Nigerian abroad represents potential capital, expertise, and influence that can accelerate growth back home.
With President Tinubu’s attendance underscoring national commitment, the 2025 NDIS signals a new era — one where Nigeria’s global citizens are not just sending remittances, but building the future.
