The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has extended its Sensitisation and Advocacy Programme to the South-East, with Enugu State hosting the first edition in the zone. As part of the initiative, Diaspora Desks were immediately established across all local governments in the state to strengthen diaspora investment opportunities.
Speaking at the programme’s flag-off, the Enugu State Government emphasised the vital role of Nigerians in the diaspora in driving economic growth and development. Governor Peter Mbah, represented by Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, highlighted the contributions of diaspora communities through remittances, expertise, and innovation. He reiterated the state’s commitment to creating an investor-friendly environment to boost Enugu’s GDP from $4.4 billion to $30 billion.
In her address, Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, stressed the importance of decentralising diaspora engagement to inspire Nigerians abroad to contribute directly to their states. She outlined NiDCOM’s initiatives, such as the Nigerian Diaspora Day (NDD), the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS), and the Badagry Door of Return Festival, as platforms for sustained diaspora collaboration. Dabiri-Erewa commended Governor Mbah for his efforts in improving the socio-economic conditions of Enugu citizens.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Diaspora Matters, Barr. Olangwa Ezekwu, disclosed that remittances recorded by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) amounted to $4.22 billion between January and October 2024, with over ₦60 billion sent home during December. She urged the South-East region to effectively channel these resources to attract more investments and foster development.
The programme, which drew both physical and virtual participants, is seen as a pivotal step in harnessing diaspora contributions for national prosperity. It follows a similar summit held in Lagos for the South-West zone, demonstrating NiDCOM’s commitment to engaging the diaspora community across Nigeria.
