By Ignatius Ushie
Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa has described the Nigerian Diaspora as an established economic factor and becoming an investment factor imperative. In her words, “We always talk about Direct Foreign Investment. We should also be talking about Diaspora Direct Investment “.
She stated this at a media event to kick start the count down to the 4th Edition of the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS), in Abuja.
The NIDCOM boss added that the event is being organised following the government’s current emphasis on providing unprecedented support for the small business sector, agriculture, and massive infrastructure development.
According to her, this year’s theme is “Diaspora Partnership and Linkages for Post-COVID Economic Growth”, which is scheduled to hold on the 16th and 17th of November, 2021, with Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, declaring the hybrid conference open.
Areas of focus include Agribusiness, Education, HealthCare, Creative, Entertainment & Sport, Infrastructure & Real Estate, Manufacturing, Telecommunications, ICT & FinTech and Oil & Gas.
Also, Dr. Badewa T. Adejugbe-Williams, the Summit Coordinator, called on both private sectors and small medium enterprises to seize the opportunity, as the experience gained will help boost business growth, innovation and networks.
According to the Summit Coordinator, “NDIS is a private sector initiative backed and enabled by government through the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM). The primary aim of this initiative is to demonstrate that at a time when competition for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is at its fiercest, targeting Nigerians in Diaspora for inward investment is probably the best strategy, particularly in the light of a heightened risk profile for the country”.
This year’s event will also host a Diaspora Housing Fair, where Nigerians in Diaspora will be availed of various opportunities to own their homes in Nigeria seamlessly.
