By Nkechi Eze
The 8th edition of the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS) has officially commenced in Abuja with renewed calls for stronger collaboration between Nigerians in the diaspora and state governments to accelerate inclusive growth and sustainable national development.
According to a statement signed by the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols at the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abdur-Rahman Balogun, this year’s summit, themed “Fast-Tracking Regional and National Development by Mobilising Diaspora Investment,” has drawn an impressive gathering of top government officials, investors, entrepreneurs, and development partners committed to harnessing the vast economic potential of Nigeria’s global diaspora network.
Delivering his goodwill message, the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, highlighted the critical role of sub-national governments in converting diaspora capital into tangible socio-economic impact at the grassroots level. Represented by the Director-General of the NGF, Mr. Eghosa M. Omoigui, the Governor commended NiDCOM and the Nigeria Diaspora Summit Initiative (NDSI) for sustaining a vital platform that connects global Nigerian talents with strategic investment opportunities across the 36 states of the federation.
“For investment to truly deliver development, it must be felt at the grassroots, where the majority of our people live and work. The sub-nationals are not just locations for investment; we are partners and facilitators of it,” he said.
Abdulrazaq further disclosed that state governments across the country are making concerted efforts to strengthen regulatory frameworks, improve infrastructure, and foster partnerships that drive private sector expansion. He announced the introduction of the NGF Investopedia, a state-by-state investment intelligence platform designed to showcase sectoral opportunities, policy incentives, and comparative advantages of each state.
“This initiative,” he explained, “will serve as a credible guide for diaspora investors to make informed decisions about where and how to channel their resources.”
Reaffirming the Forum’s dedication to promoting diaspora-led investments, Abdulrazaq revealed ongoing collaborative efforts among state governments to harmonise investment policies, streamline bureaucratic processes, and simplify frameworks for land acquisition, taxation, and business registration. “We want to make Nigeria’s sub-nationals the most attractive destinations for investment,” he stated.
In her welcome address, the Chairman of the Nigeria Diaspora Summit Initiative (NDSI), Dr. Badewa T. Adejugbe-Williams, described the summit as a remarkable testament to the power of vision, partnership, and perseverance. “What began as a bold idea to connect Nigeria with her global diaspora has evolved into one of the most influential platforms for diaspora engagement and investment facilitation in our nation’s history,” she said.
She expressed deep appreciation to government institutions, investors, entrepreneurs, moderators, sponsors, exhibitors, and members of the media for their consistent support, describing them as key enablers of the summit’s success and impact.
“This year’s edition comes at a time when the world is looking to Africa, and Nigeria in particular, as a destination for innovation, creativity, and enterprise,” Dr. Adejugbe-Williams remarked. “The NDIS stands as a beacon of what is possible when we harness the talents, resources, and commitment of Nigerians both at home and abroad towards building a prosperous future.”
She urged participants to engage deeply, network widely, and think boldly throughout the summit, emphasising that the Nigerian diaspora represents not just a source of remittances but “a force for renewal, innovation, and nation-building.”
As the summit progresses, the Federal Government, through NiDCOM, in partnership with NDSI and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, reaffirmed its resolve to deepen diaspora engagement frameworks and sustain an enabling environment for inclusive and sustainable diaspora investments across all sectors and regions of the country.
