The Federal Government has urged Nigerians in the diaspora to move beyond remittances and channel their resources, expertise and global connections into structured investments capable of driving Nigeria’s economic transformation.
The call was made at the maiden Nigeria-Canada Diaspora Economic Conference in Toronto, organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) under the theme, “Thrive Abroad, Invest at Home.”
The conference brought together the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Governors Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State and Charles Soludo of Anambra State; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole; members of the National Assembly; Canadian investors and members of the Nigerian community in Canada.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the Nigerian diaspora as an untapped economic resource, urging Nigerians abroad not only to succeed in their host countries but also to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Dabiri-Erewa challenged members of the diaspora to invest in at least one project in Nigeria, mentor a young Nigerian, partner with an SME or support critical institutions such as hospitals, schools and communities.
She urged participants to move from discussions to concrete investments, stressing that Nigeria is open for business and that the opportunity to invest is now.
Speaking at the conference, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, said the government was not asking Nigerians abroad to invest in Nigeria merely because it is their homeland, but because the country increasingly presents a strong and attractive business proposition.
Oduwole said ongoing economic reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda were repositioning the economy from consumption to production, raw-material exports to value addition, and import dependence to stronger domestic production and export competitiveness.
According to her, Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product grew by 3.89 per cent in the first quarter of 2026, while manufacturing growth stood at 3.29 per cent. She added that capital importation reached $10.37 billion, representing an increase of more than 83 per cent year-on-year.
The minister said the government was seeking long-term investments in manufacturing, agro-processing, technology, logistics, energy, healthcare, infrastructure and export-oriented businesses.
She also called on Canadian investors to take advantage of opportunities in Nigeria, particularly in manufacturing, agro-processing, energy, technology, healthcare, infrastructure, logistics and mineral processing.
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State challenged Nigerians in the diaspora to demonstrate greater willingness to take investment risks, citing the growing presence of Chinese investors in Nigeria.
Lawal disclosed that he recently visited lithium-processing factories in China and noted that Zamfara State has significant deposits of high-grade lithium.
He said three companies had already expressed interest in investing more than $250 million in the state, adding that his administration was putting the necessary frameworks in place to secure the investments.
The governor said Zamfara was also investing in infrastructure, including an international airport, five-star hotels, hospitals and schools, to improve the state’s investment environment and boost investor confidence.
Lawal, a former banker, assured prospective investors that the state government was committed to providing the legislative, institutional and political support required to protect investments.
Also speaking, the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Diaspora Affairs described Nigerians abroad as one of the country’s greatest assets, citing their excellence, resilience, innovation and hard work.
They cited World Bank data indicating that remittances to Nigeria stood at $21.9 billion, while Canada ranked fifth globally in total remittances but first in per-person contribution.
According to them, an estimated 412,000 Nigerians in Canada contribute about nine per cent of remittances, compared with 324,000 Nigerians in the United Kingdom contributing 12 per cent and 565,000 Nigerians in the United States contributing 14 per cent.
The lawmakers reaffirmed the commitment of the National Assembly to developing legislative frameworks that would strengthen diaspora engagement, protect Nigerians abroad and improve the ease of doing business for diaspora investors.
The conference is expected to feature further discussions and investment engagements, including a goodwill message from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to be delivered by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
