By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has unveiled a major new initiative designed to harness the innovative potential of Nigerians across the globe, with the launch of the Connected Diaspora x DOWA Start Up Challenge and the Connected Diaspora Flagship Event 2025. The announcement was made during a news conference in Abuja.
In a signed statement, the Director of Media and Public Relations at NiDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, disclosed that the Chairman/CEO of the Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described both initiatives as transformative platforms aimed at mobilising global Nigerian talents for accelerated national development. She said the programmes were strategically crafted to inspire creativity, drive enterprise development, and expand opportunities for knowledge transfer and investment.
According to Dabiri-Erewa, the Connected Diaspora x DOWA Start Up Challenge, themed “Building, Breaking and Believing in Nigeria,” seeks to energise diaspora innovators and entrepreneurs. With cash prizes of up to ₦1,000,000, the challenge aims to spotlight exceptional ideas and support impactful ventures developed by Nigerians abroad. She noted that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s broader objective of positioning the diaspora as essential partners in economic growth and national progress.
The NiDCOM Chairman also announced that the Connected Diaspora Flagship Event will take place on December 19, 2025, in Lagos. The high-level gathering is expected to bring together entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors, technology leaders and strategic partners for in-depth conversations on shaping Nigeria’s future. The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, will serve as Special Guest of Honour and is expected to address the role of government–diaspora collaboration in accelerating national development.
Dabiri-Erewa revealed that notable contributors from within the global diaspora community and Nigeria’s entrepreneurial landscape will enrich the discussions, offering insights to guide meaningful engagement and innovation-driven growth. She emphasized that NiDCOM deeply appreciates its partner organisations whose consistent support continues to amplify diaspora potential and foster economic advancement.
The Commission called on stakeholders across public and private sectors to embrace the initiative and explore the vast opportunities it presents for collaboration, innovation and nation-building. NiDCOM encouraged young Nigerians and diaspora returnees to participate actively in the Start Up Challenge, noting that entries will close on December 12, 2025.
It added that the 2025 flagship event will also feature a Diaspora Talent Career and Internship Fair, an initiative designed to connect diaspora returnees with internship opportunities offered by partner organisations under the DOWA platform. The fair is intended to strengthen talent exchange, support career development and deepen contributions to national growth.
NiDCOM further announced that the programme timeline includes the call for applications running from November 18 to December 12, followed by public voting on Instagram between December 13 and 17. The winners will be announced on December 18, while final presentations will take place at the JK Randle Centre during the December 19 flagship event. Registration information, according to the Commission, has been made available to the public.
