By Nkechi Eze
Against the backdrop of growing global migration trends and the rising influence of the Nigerian diaspora on national development, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to deepening engagement with Nigerians living abroad. This pledge was delivered on Thursday, July 25, 2025, during the 2025 edition of the National Diaspora Day (NDD), held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja. The event brought together a cross-section of stakeholders including senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, development partners, civil society actors, and Nigerians from across the world who joined both physically and virtually.
Speaking on behalf of the President, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, conveyed the administration’s recognition of the diaspora’s role as a strategic partner in Nigeria’s economic, social, and technological advancement. He affirmed that President Tinubu views diaspora engagement as a cornerstone of his Renewed Hope Agenda and remains committed to creating a more inclusive framework that enables diaspora Nigerians to invest, participate, and reintegrate fully into the nation-building process.
“The Tinubu administration is fully aware of the immense contributions and capabilities of Nigerians in the diaspora,” Senator Akume said. “This government is determined to eliminate the barriers that hinder their full participation in our developmental journey. We are building stronger institutions, enforcing transparency, and implementing reforms that encourage diaspora investment, skills transfer, and integration.”
As a key highlight of the celebration, Senator Akume unveiled a landmark initiative, the Home & Abroad Housing Platform, an innovative scheme designed to simplify homeownership for Nigerians living overseas. The platform was developed in response to the widespread challenges and uncertainties that diaspora Nigerians face when trying to purchase property in Nigeria, ranging from fraud and lack of trusted intermediaries to bureaucratic bottlenecks.
According to officials, the platform aims to provide verified, transparent, and secure access to real estate opportunities for Nigerians abroad. It is expected to promote accountability while reducing risk, thereby restoring confidence in cross-border property investment. The unveiling of this housing platform is not only timely but symbolic of the government’s intent to institutionalise diaspora welfare and inclusion beyond symbolic gestures.
In her welcome address, Chairman and CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, praised the resilience, patriotism, and economic impact of over 20 million Nigerians living abroad. She noted that in 2024 alone, remittances from the diaspora exceeded $23 billion, positioning the Nigerian diaspora as the largest contributor to foreign exchange inflow outside crude oil. “Our people abroad are not just sending money, they are transferring knowledge, innovation, and goodwill,” she said. “They are building Nigeria’s image in foreign lands and promoting positive narratives that challenge stereotypes.”
Dabiri-Erewa described the Home & Abroad Housing Platform as a direct response to the concerns raised consistently by Nigerians abroad regarding safe and verified avenues to invest in property back home. She assured the diaspora community that NiDCOM would continue to serve as a reliable bridge between them and the Federal Government.
Also speaking at the event, Senator Aniekan Bassey, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organizations, emphasised the urgency of creating stronger legislative and institutional frameworks that can adequately harness the vast potential of Nigeria’s diaspora population. He described diaspora engagement as “a vital instrument of soft power” that should be embedded in every sectoral policy, from education and technology to healthcare and diplomacy.
Senator Bassey called for sustained investment in digital platforms, legal protections, and reintegration programmes that encourage diaspora returnees to invest their knowledge and capital in Nigeria’s future. “The Nigerian diaspora is our 37th state, and they deserve dedicated policies, services, and representation,” he said.
Throughout the National Diaspora Day celebration, a series of panel discussions, cultural performances, and investment showcases further highlighted the dynamism and diversity of Nigerians living abroad. Key themes explored included diaspora remittances, dual citizenship, civic engagement, diaspora voting, and partnerships for national development.
The event concluded with a renewed call to action for government agencies, private sector players, and civil society to jointly uphold a supportive ecosystem where the dreams, skills, and investments of Nigerians abroad are welcomed and protected. As Nigeria charts its course through economic recovery and national renewal, the empowerment of its diaspora community remains a strategic priority under the Tinubu administration.
