The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has renewed its call on Nigerians in the diaspora to return home with skills, ideas and investments, stressing that innovation and youth entrepreneurship remain critical drivers of national development.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, mnipr, Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, NiDCOM, Abuja, following the second edition of the Connected Diaspora x DOWA Start-Up Challenge held in Lagos under the Commission’s Home Strings Programme.
The statement reads partly: “No matter where you are in the tech world, we can partner. We can build our country together and believing in Nigeria.
Nation-building is not the responsibility of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu alone; it requires collective effort from Nigerians at home and in the diaspora.”
“Innovation, skills transfer and collaboration are critical to nation-building, and Nigerians in the diaspora have a major role to play in driving development at home.
“Nigeria remains open to partnerships across all sectors, particularly technology and entrepreneurship, and the diaspora must see the country as a land of opportunity.
“Building Nigeria requires belief, commitment and collective responsibility from all stakeholders, especially the youth.”
According to the statement, the event attracted government officials, diaspora leaders, entrepreneurs, youth leaders and young Nigerians from across the globe, all united by a shared goal of promoting diaspora-driven solutions and youth-led innovation for national development.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, who served as Special Guest of Honour, described innovation, youth empowerment and diaspora collaboration as indispensable tools for sustainable national growth.
Drawing from his personal experience abroad, Hamzat highlighted the racial challenges faced by Nigerians in the diaspora and explained his decision to return home to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s development.
He urged young Nigerians to believe in themselves and have confidence in leadership and institutions.
In his keynote address, Chairman of Zinox Group, Mr Leo Stan Ekeh, charged young Nigerians to believe in the country and invest in impactful, homegrown solutions capable of addressing local challenges while competing on a global scale.
He noted that Nigeria’s size, talent pool and market potential offer unmatched opportunities for innovation-led growth.
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, welcomed participants to Lagos and encouraged Nigerians in the diaspora to leverage their global exposure, expertise and networks to support national development.
She emphasised that rebuilding Nigeria requires collaboration across borders and generations, particularly in technology and entrepreneurship.
Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of the Bank of Industry and First Bank, as well as Tomi Aregbesola, President of the Organisation for the Advancement of Nigerians (OAN).
Other speakers included Mobolaji Ogunlende, Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development; Jermaine Sanwo-Olu, Head of the Lagos State Diaspora Office; and the President of Nigerian Students in the Philippines, alongside youth leaders and key diaspora stakeholders.
An emotional moment at the event came when Aisosa, a Nigerian visiting the country for the first time in 20 years, shared his personal story and reconnection with home, drawing applause from the audience.
The second edition of the programme, themed “Building, Breaking & Believing in Nigeria,” was moderated by Nosa Okunsebor, Co-Founder of Connected Diaspora. Panel discussions featured Adesuwa Okunbo-Rhodes of Aruwa Capital Management, Preston Ideh of Stears, Subuola Adeleye of Beauty Hut Africa, Chime Nwoka of Breeze, and Siji Abere of Connected Diaspora, who examined entrepreneurship, innovation and strategies for building sustainable businesses in Nigeria.
A major highlight of the event was the presentation of the ₦1 million first-place prize of the DOWA Start-Up Challenge to Team VeriProp, in recognition of their innovative solution.
The event also featured the presentation of the MIPAD Diaspora Champion Award to Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa by Kamil Olufowobi, founder of the Most Influential Persons of African Descent (MIPAD).
The statement noted that the programme reaffirmed NiDCOM’s commitment to strengthening diaspora engagement, empowering Nigerian youths and driving inclusive national development through innovation under the leadership of Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
