Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has urged young Nigerians to believe in their abilities, pursue their dreams with determination and remain resilient, stressing that no ambition is beyond reach with hard work and self-confidence.
Speaking at the Youth Empowerment Summit held as part of the 2026 National Diaspora Day celebrations in Abuja, Dabiri-Erewa said the programme was designed to inspire and equip young people with the knowledge, leadership skills and motivation needed to become responsible citizens and future leaders.
She encouraged participants to maximise the opportunities provided by the summit by learning from the experiences of resource persons and panelists, while remaining proud of their Nigerian identity despite the challenges they may encounter.
The NiDCOM boss recalled that some beneficiaries of previous editions of the programme had returned to share remarkable success stories, describing them as evidence of the positive impact of mentorship and youth empowerment initiatives.
As part of the event, Dabiri-Erewa introduced two Nigerians who recently returned from South Africa and shared their experiences of resilience after facing significant challenges abroad.
One of the returnees, a Chemical Engineering student, recounted how he successfully combined his studies with operating a tutoring business that served more than 30 students every week before circumstances compelled him to return to Nigeria.
He said he hopes to complete his education while building a career in the power and petroleum sector, noting that although he cherished the friendships he made in South Africa, he did not miss the discrimination and bureaucratic hurdles he experienced there.
Another returnee, Mrs. Maria Adeyemi, narrated the difficulties her family endured in South Africa, including documentation problems, financial losses and prolonged separation from her husband.
She expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government for facilitating their safe return to Nigeria through NiDCOM’s intervention.
Adeyemi also disclosed her ambition to establish a restaurant in Nigeria, promising to contribute to the country’s hospitality industry through her culinary expertise.
Responding to the testimonies, Dabiri-Erewa assured the returnees of NiDCOM’s continued support, pledging to engage relevant stakeholders to assist them in achieving their aspirations and ensuring their successful reintegration into society.
She reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to promoting youth development, supporting Nigerians in the diaspora and returnees, and creating opportunities that enable young Nigerians to realise their full potential.
Also speaking at the summit, the Group Managing Director of ARCO Group Plc, Engr. Alfred Okoigun, urged Nigerian youths to embrace innovation, integrity and lifelong learning as critical tools for national development and the transformation of Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
Okoigun commended NiDCOM, under the leadership of Dabiri-Erewa, for providing a platform that connects young Nigerians with accomplished professionals and members of the diaspora to encourage collaboration, mentorship and nation-building.
He also praised the Federal Government for supporting initiatives that empower young Nigerians and harness the expertise of Nigerians in the diaspora for sustainable national development.
