The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at leveraging the expertise of Nigerians in the diaspora to boost innovation, science, and technology development at home.
During a strategic meeting in Abuja, the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the collaboration as a “timely intervention” that will connect local innovators with scientists, engineers, technologists, and entrepreneurs abroad.
She noted that the initiative will provide opportunities for Nigerians everywhere to pool ideas, skills, and experiences to drive national progress, particularly under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Dabiri-Erewa also encouraged NASENI to showcase its programmes at the 8th Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS), scheduled for November 11–13, 2025, in Abuja.
In his remarks, NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, outlined the agency’s flagship projects, including Revolut, a low-cost payment platform for Nigerians; the Innovation Hub and Incubation Programme supporting scientists and innovators; and Delta-2, a technology partnership with the Czech Republic, now entering its third phase.
Halilu said his visit was to present two major projects: a government-backed multi-currency payment platform with real-time monitoring features, and a diaspora-focused initiative designed to engage Nigerian professionals in science, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship for economic growth.
He emphasized that NiDCOM’s diaspora professionals’ database would be instrumental to the success of the collaboration.
At the end of the meeting, both agencies agreed to establish a joint working committee to streamline areas of cooperation and design projects that promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), while deepening diaspora engagement.
