The 8th Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS) opened in Abuja with a clear message: the Nigerian diaspora is a powerful engine for innovation, enterprise and sustainable development. Organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) in partnership with the Nigerian Diaspora Summit Initiative (NDSI), the three‑day event, themed “Fast‑Tracking Regional and National Development by Mobilising Diaspora Investment,” attracted more than a thousand participants in person and a substantial virtual audience.
In her opening address, NDIS Coordinator Dr Badewa Adejugbe‑Williams described the summit as “a bridge connecting ideas, people and opportunities.” She added that each edition of NDIS tell a story of progress, resilience and possibility, and that collaboration between Nigerians at home and abroad yields extraordinary results. Dr Adejugbe‑Williams praised Hon. Abike Dabiri‑Erewa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, for her steadfast leadership in creating platforms that link the diaspora to national development. “The success of this summit reflects what can happen when passion meets purpose,” she said. “The diaspora continues to prove that distance does not diminish patriotism; it strengthens it.”
The programme featured high‑level panel discussions, startup pitches and exhibitions across priority sectors. Technology and education took centre stage, with a panel moderated by Ms Evelyn Dan Epelle, Managing Director and CEO of IGET. Diaspora innovators presented cutting‑edge solutions in fintech, ICT, logistics and e‑learning, underscoring that technology is now the foundation for Nigeria’s next growth phase and that the diaspora is a key driver of that transformation.
A parallel session on education and human capital, led by Prof Onyishi Ernest Ike, highlighted proposals aimed at improving learning access, quality and employability. Professor Ike stressed that Nigeria’s youth are its greatest asset and that investing in their minds is investing in the nation’s future.
Throughout the summit, diaspora investors engaged directly with startup founders, exploring scalable, impact‑driven solutions that align with national priorities in education and technology. The interactions reinforced a shared commitment to deepen partnerships that position the Nigerian diaspora as a catalyst for innovation, investment and nation‑building.
Organisers pledged to translate the dialogue into concrete projects and funding commitments in the months ahead.
