ABUJA — The Federal Government has moved to tackle Nigeria’s growing migration trend by leveraging diaspora investment and expertise, as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs deepens collaboration with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM).
The initiative was disclosed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, during a meeting with NIDCOM Chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, according to a statement issued by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.
Enikanolaiye said stronger engagement with Nigerians abroad would help address the “Japa” phenomenon while driving economic growth through structured remittances and investment.
“Our foreign policy must deliver tangible benefits to citizens. Development is not abstract. It is about roads, hospitals, power, food security, and opportunities for our youth,” he said.
He explained that the government is working to formalise diaspora remittances by creating systems that track inflows and move transactions into regulated channels.
The minister also called for deeper collaboration in key sectors, including healthcare, education, agriculture and technology, noting that Nigeria stands to benefit significantly from diaspora knowledge and capital.
Highlighting inter-agency efforts, Enikanolaiye commended NIDCOM’s role in the repatriation of Nigerians, particularly from South Africa.
“We enjoyed excellent coordination with our mission in South Africa, NIDCOM and various government agencies,” he said.
He linked the initiative to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that improvements in security are laying the foundation for sustainable development.
“We can see visibly the success in winning the war against insecurity… This is the foundation for sustainable development,” he added.
The minister also urged Nigerian missions abroad to improve service delivery and strengthen engagement with diaspora communities, while exploring alternative funding sources, including partnerships with the private sector.
Earlier, Dabiri-Erewa said Nigerians in the diaspora are increasingly willing to invest in the country despite challenges such as funding constraints and infrastructure gaps.
She announced that the fourth National Diaspora Merit Award will hold this year and highlighted ongoing efforts to establish a diaspora trust fund.
Both parties pledged to strengthen collaboration to harness diaspora contributions and create an enabling environment for investment, as part of broader efforts to drive national development.
