The 8th Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS) opened in Abuja on Tuesday with renewed calls for deeper collaboration between Nigerians in the diaspora and state governments to accelerate inclusive growth and sustainable national development.
The two-day summit, themed “Fast-Tracking Regional and National Development by Mobilising Diaspora Investment,” attracted top government officials, investors, entrepreneurs, and development partners committed to harnessing diaspora potential for economic transformation.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq,represented by Mr. Eghosa M. Omoigui, Head of Stakeholder Relationship, Investment, SDGs, and Environment at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, underscored the vital role of sub-nationals in translating diaspora capital into measurable grassroots impact.
He commended the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and the Nigeria Diaspora Summit Initiative (NDSI) for sustaining a platform that links global Nigerian talent with investment opportunities across the federation.
“For investment to truly deliver development, it must be felt at the grassroots, where the majority of our people live and work. The sub-nationals are not just locations for investment; we are partners and facilitators of it,” Abdulrazaq said.
The governor said states are strengthening regulatory frameworks, upgrading infrastructure, and building partnerships to enhance private sector growth.
He also announced the launch of NGF Investopedia, a state-by-state investment intelligence platform showcasing sectoral opportunities, policy incentives, and comparative advantages across Nigeria’s 36 states a tool he said would help diaspora investors make informed decisions.
Reaffirming the NGF’s commitment to supporting diaspora-led investments, Abdulrazaq said;
“We are working collectively to harmonise policies, reduce red tape, and create clear frameworks for land acquisition, taxation, and business registration. We want to make Nigeria’s sub-nationals the most attractive destinations for investment.”
In her welcome address, Dr. Badewa T. Adejugbe-Williams, Chairman of the Nigeria Diaspora Summit Initiative, described the summit as a testament to the power of vision, collaboration, and perseverance.
“What began as a bold idea to connect Nigeria with her global diaspora has evolved into one of the most influential platforms for diaspora engagement and investment facilitation in our nation’s history,” she said.
She thanked government partners, investors, entrepreneurs, sponsors, exhibitors, and the media for their continued support, describing them as key drivers of the summit’s impact.
“The NDIS stands as a beacon of what is possible when we harness the talents, resources, and commitment of Nigerians both at home and abroad towards building a prosperous future,” she added.
As the summit progresses, the Federal Government, through NiDCOM, in collaboration with NDSI and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening diaspora engagement frameworks and creating enabling environments for sustainable diaspora investments across all sectors and regions.
