A formidable contingent of Nigerian political and economic leaders is set to descend on Toronto this week for a landmark diaspora investment conference aimed at channeling billions in remittances into high-impact sectors of Nigeria’s economy. The delegation, comprising six state governors, three federal ministers, and representatives from key government agencies, will participate in the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) conference scheduled for August 12 to 15 under the theme “Invest Nigeria, Thrive Abroad.”
The announcement was made via an official statement on X (formerly Twitter) by NiDCOM on Friday, detailing the high-powered lineup that underscores the Tinubu administration’s strategic focus on diaspora engagement.
A Who’s Who of Nigerian Leadership
The governor’s contingent includes:
-
Babagana Zulum – Borno State
-
Chukwuma Soludo – Anambra State
-
Uba Sani – Kaduna State
-
Caleb Mutfwang – Plateau State
-
Dauda Lawal – Zamfara State
They will be joined by a trio of federal ministers:
-
Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu – Minister of Foreign Affairs
-
Jumoke Oduwole – Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment
-
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo – Minister of Interior
Institutional Backing from Key Agencies
Beyond the political leadership, the delegation will feature senior representatives from critical government institutions:
-
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
-
Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)
-
Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS)
-
Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS)
-
Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC)
-
Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC)
-
National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)
This comprehensive institutional representation ensures coverage across finance, trade, immigration, revenue, investment promotion, export development, and technology sectors.
Canadian Officials to Participate
The Canadian side will feature a distinguished delegation of officials, including:
-
Shafqat Ali – President of the Treasury Board of Canada
-
Graham McGregor – Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism
-
Deepak Anand – Ontario lawmaker
-
Patrick Brown – Mayor of Brampton
-
Rod Power – Councillor
-
Charmaine Williams – Ontario Minister of Women and Economic Opportunities
Their participation underscores the mutual interest in deepening economic cooperation between both nations.
A Commitment to Diaspora Engagement
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman and CEO of NiDCOM, emphasized that the caliber of officials attending demonstrates President Bola Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to strengthening economic cooperation between Nigeria and Canada through trade, investment, and diaspora engagement.
She described the event as “more than a conference,” positioning it as an “outcome-driven investment platform” designed to connect international investors with “investment-ready” opportunities across key sectors of Nigeria’s economy while strengthening bilateral economic relations.
Sector Focus and Economic Significance
According to the NiDCOM statement, discussions at the conference will center on agriculture, technology, manufacturing, infrastructure, energy, healthcare, and the digital economy—sectors critical to Nigeria’s long-term development.
The conference, organized by NiDCOM in collaboration with the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa, the Canadian High Commission in Abuja, and other stakeholders, marks the first investment-focused forum organized by the Federal Government through NiDCOM to promote economic partnerships between Nigeria and its diaspora community.
According to World Bank data, Nigeria is one of Africa’s largest recipients of diaspora remittances, with annual inflows amounting to billions of dollars. The conference represents a strategic effort to channel these funds into productive investments that can drive economic growth and job creation.
