The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has described Nigerians living abroad as one of the country’s greatest strategic assets, saying their contributions now extend far beyond remittances to healthcare, diplomacy, technology transfer, innovation and sustainable national development.
Enikanolaiye stated this while delivering his keynote address at the 2026 National Diaspora Day celebration held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, with the theme: “Harnessing Global Diaspora Medical Expertise to Strengthen Local Health Systems for National Development.”
The event was declared open by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Congratulating Nigerians across the globe on the annual celebration, the minister commended the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) for deepening engagement between Nigeria and its citizens abroad through innovative programmes that have strengthened national development.
He described the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative (DHII) 2026 as a flagship intervention designed to harness the expertise, experience, innovation and professional networks of Nigerian healthcare professionals living abroad.
According to him, the initiative is driving knowledge transfer, specialist medical outreach, clinical mentorship, research collaboration, health workforce development and capacity building across the country.
Enikanolaiye said these interventions are already improving healthcare access, enhancing the quality of medical services, reducing health disparities and advancing universal health coverage nationwide.
He stressed that a strong healthcare system remains fundamental to economic growth, national resilience and social stability, noting that connecting global Nigerian expertise with local healthcare needs would help build a healthier and more prosperous nation.
“The diaspora remain one of Nigeria’s most strategic assets. Their contributions go beyond remittances and investments. They serve as ambassadors of our country, facilitating diplomacy, technology transfer, innovation and global partnerships that continue to benefit Nigeria,” he said.
The minister reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to strengthening ties with Nigerians abroad and creating an enabling environment for greater diaspora participation in national development.
He also commended the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, as well as the management and staff of the Commission, for their dedication to advancing diaspora engagement and implementing impactful initiatives, particularly the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative.
Enikanolaiye noted that the collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NiDCOM, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, development partners and diaspora professional associations has continued to produce measurable results in healthcare delivery and human capital development.
Earlier, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to institutionalising the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative as a strategic platform for mobilising the expertise of more than 50,000 Nigerian doctors and thousands of other healthcare professionals living abroad to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Also speaking, Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, highlighted the Commission’s achievements in healthcare, investment, education, humanitarian interventions and diaspora engagement over the past seven years, while the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, called for stronger collaboration with Nigerian healthcare professionals in the diaspora to support ongoing reforms in the health sector.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs on behalf of the Committee Chairman, Senator Eteng Bassey; the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Tochukwu Okere; the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria; the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Nigeria; the High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago; and representatives of other international organisations and development partners.
The event attracted participants from across the globe, including Nigerian professionals in the diaspora, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), diaspora medical associations from the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Germany, Australia and South Africa, government agencies, private sector organisations and other stakeholders committed to strengthening diaspora engagement and advancing Nigeria’s healthcare system.
