FG shifts diaspora engagement from consular service to strategic partnership
The Federal Government says it has repositioned its engagement with Nigerians in the diaspora from a consular responsibility to a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating national development through investment, skills and knowledge transfer.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye, stated this at the 2026 National Diaspora Day and Merit Award Dinner in Abuja late Friday.
The event, organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), had the theme: “Harnessing Global Diaspora Medical Expertise to Strengthen Local Health Systems for National Development.”
Enikanolaiye said the diaspora had become a key pillar of President Bola Tinubu’s 4D Foreign Policy, particularly under the demography and diaspora component, because of its growing contributions to Nigeria’s economic and social development.
He said the government’s priority was to ensure diaspora engagement translated into tangible benefits for Nigerians.
“Whatever we do in diaspora engagement must have a direct impact on the Nigerian people. Migration should not be criminalised or demonised but seen as an opportunity for talent circulation and brain gain,” he said.
The minister said annual diaspora remittances, estimated by the Central Bank of Nigeria at about 21.8 billion dollars, exceeded the country’s official development assistance, describing them as a major national asset.
He, however, noted that the figures did not capture undocumented remittances and called for stronger frameworks to channel diaspora resources into productive sectors of the economy.
Enikanolaiye added that ongoing reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda were aimed at improving the investment climate and increasing the economy’s capacity to attract diaspora investment.
He also urged Nigerians abroad to remain united and continue projecting a positive image of the country.
Earlier, NiDCOM Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said Nigeria’s engagement with its diaspora had evolved from policy formulation to measurable impact through programmes in healthcare, education, investment and humanitarian support.
She said the National Diaspora Policy approved by the Federal Executive Council in 2021 had institutionalised diaspora engagement across ministries, departments and agencies, while diaspora focal persons had been appointed in all 36 states.
According to her, the commission is also developing a national diaspora database in partnership with the National Identity Management Commission to strengthen engagement with Nigerians abroad.
Dabiri-Erewa highlighted the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative (DHII 2026), implemented with the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigerian Medical Association, under which diaspora medical professionals have carried out medical missions, telemedicine services, specialist training, remote surgeries and equipment donations across the country.
She said NiDCOM was also promoting education and investment linkages through initiatives such as the Diaspora Bridge Programme for academics, technology partnerships and investment forums aimed at attracting diaspora participation in national development.
The NiDCOM boss disclosed that diaspora remittances had risen from about 17 billion dollars in 2019 to more than 21 billion dollars in 2025, while the commission continued to advocate diaspora voting and stronger institutional support for Nigerians living abroad.
She urged Nigerians in the diaspora to remain united and sustain their contributions to the country’s development.