Nigeria’s diaspora community continues to prove its strength as a driving force in the nation’s economic revival. Through the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS), investments worth over ₦673 million were secured in 2024 — a milestone the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) credits to years of consistent engagement and partnership with global investors of Nigerian origin.
Announcing the upcoming 8th edition of the summit, scheduled for November 11–13, 2025, in Abuja, NiDCOM Chairperson Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will attend as the Special Guest of Honour. She emphasized that the summit has become a cornerstone event linking diaspora investors with local enterprises while stimulating national growth across vital sectors.
Since its inception in 2018, the NDIS has not only attracted investors but has also enriched Nigeria’s service economy — injecting over ₦500 million into local businesses, creatives, and small enterprises that support the event ecosystem.
“This year’s summit, themed ‘Fast-Tracking Regional and National Development by Mobilising Diaspora Investment,’ will highlight transformative sectors such as finance, ICT, healthcare, real estate, agribusiness, manufacturing, and the creative economy,” Dabiri-Erewa stated. “We are building on our previous successes to ensure that diaspora investors continue to see Nigeria as the place where their investments create lasting impact.”
The 2024 edition of the summit showcased that momentum vividly — hosting over 1,500 participants (both online and in-person) including 236 investors, 1,197 business owners, and 168 government representatives. Over 50 investment pitches were delivered across eight industries, generating dozens of deals that turned ideas into tangible projects.
Among them, the creative and entertainment sector led in participation with 39 deals, underlining Nigeria’s unmatched artistic vibrancy. Meanwhile, infrastructure and real estate accounted for about ₦201 million, and energy projects pulled in ₦172 million. Agribusiness also stood out, drawing ₦103 million in commitments.
Beyond the numbers, the summit’s impact resonates through success stories — from GAIN Business Incubator raising over ₦200 million for expansion, to Xtralarge Farms securing global distribution deals. Creative professionals like filmmaker JohnMark Iyoo have also found mentorship and international platforms through NDIS connections, propelling Nigerian talent onto the global stage.
The summit’s ripple effects have reached even state-level governance. Ondo, Nasarawa, and Borno States, for instance, have leveraged NDIS to court investors for flagship projects, including Ondo’s now-approved port initiative. Dabiri-Erewa noted that these examples prove NDIS has evolved far beyond a conference — it has become “a catalyst for enterprise, innovation, and sustainable partnerships.”
Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Badewa Adejugbe-Williams, Chairperson of the Nigeria Diaspora Summit Initiative (NDSI), said the platform has grown into a bridge connecting Nigeria’s potential with global capital and expertise. “This year’s theme aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on diversification, inclusive growth, and sustainable development,” she added, calling for more sponsors, investors, and media partners to join the movement.
Organized by NiDCOM in collaboration with NDSI, the 2025 NDIS aims to draw over 3,000 participants worldwide. The event promises to deepen collaborations between diaspora professionals and Nigerian entrepreneurs across finance, tech, energy, creative industries, health, education, and more.
Interested participants are encouraged to register via www.ndisng.com to be part of what NiDCOM calls “a movement reshaping Nigeria’s economic destiny through the power of its global citizens.”
