The Federal Government has launched a renewed effort to channel over $20 billion in annual diaspora remittances into productive investments aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s economic growth and national development.
The initiative, led by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) in collaboration with major banks and private sector partners, was announced ahead of the eighth Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS) scheduled to hold from November 11 to 13, 2025, at the State House, Abuja.
According to a statement made available on Monday, the event will be held in partnership with the Nigerian Diaspora Summit Initiative (NDSI) under the theme “Fast Tracking Regional and National Development by Mobilising Diaspora Investment.”
The 2025 summit aims to transform Nigeria’s huge diaspora inflows—currently estimated at over $20 billion annually—into structured investments that create jobs, boost innovation, and strengthen the country’s economic resilience. It will focus on converting the wealth, skills, and creativity of Nigerians abroad into projects that deliver tangible local impact across critical sectors such as energy, real estate, finance, and technology.
The statement revealed that the NDIS 2025 will be a hybrid event, combining physical and virtual participation to enable wider engagement among investors and stakeholders. It will feature keynote sessions, business exhibitions, investment pitches, and high-level networking opportunities that connect investors with viable projects in Nigeria.
President Bola Tinubu is expected to grace the summit as Special Guest of Honour, while the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, will serve as Chief Host.
Dr. Dabiri-Erewa described the NDIS as a platform that continues to deepen the connection between Nigeria and its diaspora community by promoting investment-driven partnerships.
“The Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit has become a catalyst for national development,” she said. “It connects our diaspora citizens with tangible investment prospects that create jobs, drive innovation, and support Nigeria’s economic transformation.”
Highlighting the economic significance of the event, the statement said the keynote address will be delivered by Professor Bartholomew Nnaji, former Minister of Power and Chairman of Geometric Power Limited, while the Group Managing Director/CEO of the Nigerian Exchange Group, Mr. Temi Popoola, will deliver a special presentation on innovative investment frameworks for emerging markets.
The summit also has strong private sector backing. Zenith Bank Plc is the main event partner, supported by First Bank of Nigeria Limited, AG Mortgage Bank Plc, and Rainbow Heritage Group.
Zenith Bank’s Group Managing Director and CEO, Dr. Adaora Umeoji, reaffirmed the bank’s dedication to empowering the Nigerian diaspora through sustainable financial partnerships.
“Our sponsorship of NDIS 2025 underscores our unwavering commitment to the Nigerian diaspora as key partners in national development,” Umeoji said. “We recognise their immense contributions through remittances, investments, and innovation.”
Similarly, Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu, the Managing Director and CEO of First Bank of Nigeria, said the bank remains steadfast in providing secure, innovative financial solutions for Nigerians abroad.
“As Nigeria’s foremost financial institution, FirstBank continues to offer viable options for diaspora wealth creation,” Alebiosu said. “Through partnerships with over 17 international money transfer operators and our in-house remittance platform, First Global Transfer, we provide efficient and trusted channels for cross-border transactions.”
The Rainbow Heritage Group, one of the private sector collaborators, stated that its partnership with the summit aligns with its mission to build sustainable communities for Nigerians globally.
“Our flagship project, The New Port City, is designed as a smart, future-ready city where innovation and functionality coexist,” the group said. “We see the NDIS as a gateway for diaspora-led investments that contribute to sustainable urban development.”
In the same vein, the Managing Director/CEO of AG Mortgage Bank Plc, Mr. Ngozi Anyogu, stressed the importance of converting remittances into tangible investments that support national growth.
“Over 17 million Nigerians abroad send home more than $20 billion annually. The key challenge is how to make those funds work for the local economy,” Anyogu explained. “At AGMB, our focus is to develop financial products that channel these inflows into housing, real estate, and productive ventures.”
The Summit Coordinator, Dr. Badewa Adejugbe-Williams, highlighted the success of the 2024 edition of the NDIS, which attracted ₦673 million in investment commitments and channelled about ₦500 million directly into local businesses and service providers.
“NDIS 2024 proved the power of structured diaspora engagement,” Adejugbe-Williams said. “Videographers, hotels, catering companies, and printers all benefited from the summit’s value chain.”
One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Joshua Samuel, Creative Director of Abuja-based Artestify Multimedia, also testified to the summit’s impact. “We’ve used NDIS as a platform to expand our network, attract investors, and grow our business significantly,” he said.
With growing global interest in diaspora investment, experts believe that initiatives like the NDIS could help Nigeria unlock new capital flows, strengthen its productive sectors, and reduce reliance on external borrowing.
