The 8th Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS) opened in Abuja with renewed calls for stronger collaboration between Nigerians in the diaspora and state governments to accelerate inclusive growth and sustainable national development.
Themed “Fast-Tracking Regional and National Development by Mobilising Diaspora Investment,” the 2025 Summit brought together government officials, investors, entrepreneurs, and development partners committed to unlocking the economic potential of the Nigerian diaspora.
Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Governor of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), highlighted the pivotal role of sub-national governments in translating diaspora investments into measurable grassroots impact. Represented at the event by the NGF Director-General, Mr Eghosa Omoigui, he commended NiDCOM and the Nigeria Diaspora Summit Initiative (NDSI) for sustaining a vital bridge between global Nigerian talent and domestic investment opportunities.
“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 also announced the launch of NGF Investopedia, an investment intelligence platform providing state-by-state data on opportunities, incentives, and comparative advantages across Nigeria’s 36 states, designed to guide diaspora investors in making informed decisions. He reaffirmed the Forum’s commitment to harmonising policies, reducing red tape, and creating clear frameworks for land acquisition, taxation, and business registration to make Nigeria’s sub-national states attractive for investment.
Dr Badewa Adejugbe-Williams, Chairperson of NDSI, described the Summit as a celebration of vision, collaboration, and perseverance, noting that the NDIS has evolved into one of Nigeria’s most influential platforms for diaspora engagement and investment facilitation.
“What began as a bold idea to connect Nigeria with her global diaspora has become a beacon of what is possible when we harness our collective talent, resources, and commitment,” she said, urging participants to engage deeply, connect widely, and think boldly. She emphasised that the Nigerian diaspora is not merely a source of remittances but a “force for renewal, innovation, and nation-building.”
As the Summit continues, NiDCOM, in collaboration with NDSI and the NGF, reaffirmed dedication to strengthening diaspora engagement frameworks and creating enabling environments to support sustainable diaspora investments across all sectors.
