President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to positioning Nigerians in the Diaspora as strategic partners in transforming the country’s healthcare sector and driving national development.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume at the opening of the 2026 National Diaspora Day celebration in Abuja, the President said the administration would leverage the expertise, experience and global networks of Nigerian medical professionals abroad to strengthen the nation’s health system.
According to an official statement signed by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), President Tinubu said the theme of this year’s celebration, “Harnessing Global Diaspora Medical Expertise to Strengthen Local Health Systems for National Development,” aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda’s vision of mobilising the immense capacity of Nigerians in the Diaspora for national development.
The President described the Nigerian Diaspora as one of the country’s greatest strategic assets, noting that Nigerian doctors, nurses, scientists, researchers and public health professionals continue to distinguish themselves globally while maintaining strong ties with their homeland.
He said their expertise, professional networks and commitment to Nigeria remain invaluable resources for rebuilding the nation’s healthcare system and advancing sustainable development.
President Tinubu commended the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), led by Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, for strengthening engagement between Nigeria and its citizens abroad through programmes that promote investment, knowledge transfer and sustainable development.
He also praised the successful implementation of the 2026 Diaspora Healthcare Impact Initiative (DHII), coordinated by NiDCOM in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, for bringing together Nigerian medical practitioners from across the world to support healthcare delivery in the country’s six geo-political zones.
The President acknowledged the contributions of several professional medical associations and development partners, including the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Medical Association of Nigerians Across Great Britain (MANSAG-UK), Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA), Nigerian Medical Association Germany, Nigerian-Australian Medical and Dental Association (NAMDA), Concerned Medics Foundation (CMF-UK), Nigerian Doctors Forum South Africa, Canadian Association of Nigerian Physicians and Dentists (CANPAD), National Association of Nigerian Nurses in North America (NANNNA), Nigerian Nurses Charitable Association UK (NNCAUK), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), state governments, the Federal Capital Territory Administration and private sector partners for supporting the initiative.
President Tinubu further commended NiDCOM’s flagship programmes, including the National Diaspora Day Celebration, National Diaspora Merit Award (NDMA), Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS), Diaspora Data Mapping Scheme, NiDCOM Youth Empowerment Summit and the Badagry Door of Return, describing them as strategic initiatives that have enhanced Nigeria’s engagement with its global citizens while projecting a positive image of the country internationally.
He noted that the initiatives complement the administration’s 4-D Foreign Policy framework, anchored on Democracy, Development, Demography and Diaspora under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
While acknowledging challenges confronting Nigeria’s healthcare sector, including inadequate infrastructure, shortages of skilled personnel, research gaps, limited specialised care and policy inconsistencies, the President expressed confidence that stronger collaboration with Nigerian professionals abroad would help address the gaps.
To sustain the momentum, President Tinubu disclosed that the Federal Government would institutionalise the Diaspora Healthcare Impact Initiative by establishing a structured platform to coordinate diaspora healthcare contributions, provide incentives for medical professionals who return to practise or invest in Nigeria, and ensure transparency and measurable impact.
He urged Nigerians living abroad to continue deploying their expertise towards building a resilient, inclusive and world-class healthcare system, regardless of where they are based.
The President also congratulated recipients of the 2026 National Diaspora Merit Award, encouraging them to remain committed to excellence while continuing to promote Nigeria’s image globally.
He reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to harness the innovation, patriotism and expertise of Nigerians in the Diaspora as critical drivers of sustainable national development and improved healthcare outcomes for all citizens.
