By Bavoriat Clara
The Federal Government has restated its commitment to placing the Nigerian Diaspora at the center of its development agenda. This assurance was given by the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, during a strategic meeting with the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in Abuja.
A statement issued by the Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit of NiDCOM, signed by Gabriel Odu, noted that discussions at the meeting revolved around practical outcomes and ways to increase Diaspora contributions in key sectors such as healthcare, remittances, climate action, and trade.
Bala Usman emphasized that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is focused on achieving quality results that deliver visible impact. She encouraged NiDCOM to identify and present specific programmes that deserve more visibility and should be integrated into the government’s strategic framework.
“The Nigerian Diaspora are indispensable partners in our national progress. It is important that their contributions are properly recognized and aligned with the administration’s focus on high-impact results,” she stressed.
In her intervention, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa highlighted two initiatives she believes deserve priority attention — the Diaspora Trust Fund and the recognition of Nigerians tracing their ancestry to the country through DNA technology.
She explained that the Trust Fund would provide a transparent, sustainable pool of resources, built from Diaspora contributions, to support national development projects.
“Such a fund would inspire confidence, encourage higher remittance inflows, and guarantee collective ownership of development initiatives,” Dabiri-Erewa stated.
On cultural diplomacy, she noted that celebrating individuals who reconnect with Nigeria through DNA testing would not only strengthen identity and belonging but also enhance the country’s image on the global stage.
“Recognizing these individuals builds stronger emotional and economic bonds that can translate into tourism, investment, and cultural exchange,” she added.
Dabiri-Erewa also called for the creation of structured platforms and incentives for returnees willing to invest, establish businesses, and contribute directly to Nigeria’s economy.
Both officials commended Nigerians in the Diaspora for their resilience, innovation, and excellence across the world, while pledging to work together in ensuring that their potential is fully tapped for national growth and development.
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