The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has called on Nigerians living abroad to play a more active role in driving innovation and youth entrepreneurship in the country, stressing that diaspora expertise and investment are critical to Nigeria’s economic growth and sustainable development.
This call was made during the second edition of the Connected Diaspora Innovation Challenge in Lagos.
The event, organised under NiDCOM’s Home Strings Programme, brought together government officials, diaspora leaders, entrepreneurs and young innovators to promote diaspora-driven solutions, youth entrepreneurship and skills transfer for national development.
Speaking at the event, Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Lagos State Deputy Governor, described innovation, youth empowerment and diaspora collaboration as critical tools for Nigeria’s development.
Hamzat highlighted the racial challenges often faced by Nigerians in foreign countries and explained that such realities informed his decision to return home and contribute meaningfully to national growth.
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He commended NiDCOM and its partners for sustaining the initiative and urged young Nigerians to believe in themselves and also have confidence in leaders and institutions working to create opportunities.
In his keynote address, Leo Stan Eke, Chairman of Zinox Group, challenged young Nigerians to believe in the country and invest in homegrown solutions capable of addressing local problems while remaining competitive on a global scale.
He stressed that Nigeria’s future depends largely on the ability of its youths to innovate and build sustainable enterprises.
Earlier in her remarks, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, underscored the importance of skills transfer, collaboration and collective responsibility in nation-building.
She encouraged Nigerians in the diaspora to bring their expertise, innovation and global exposure back home, noting that Nigeria remains open to partnerships across all sectors, particularly technology and entrepreneurship.
“No matter where you are in the tech world, we can partner. We can build our country together by believing in Nigeria.
“Nation-building is not the responsibility of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu alone; it requires the collective effort of Nigerians at home and in the diaspora”, Dabiri-Erewa said.
