By Olumide Akinrinlola
TORONTO, CANADA – The inaugural Nigeria Diaspora Economic Conference (NiDEC 2026) commenced on Wednesday in the Greater Toronto Area, bringing together a high-profile assembly of government officials, business leaders, and investors under the central theme, “Invest Nigeria; Thrive Abroad.”
The event was opened by Sam Adewale, an indigene of Ode Aye in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State and the President of Leadership & Governance Canada Inc.
In his welcome remarks, Starnews NG reports that Mr. Adewale underscored the critical role of the Nigerian diaspora in driving the nation’s economic future.
The conference drew a distinguished audience, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (represented by the Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila), the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, Hon. Dr. Dauda Lawal, the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Charles Soludo, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Jumoke Oduwole, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora, Senator Aniekan Bassey.
Also in attendance were the Interior Minister, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji -Ojo, Hon. Tobechukwu Okere, the Acting High Commissioner at the Nigeria Embassy in Canada, and the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
Reflecting on the journey of his organisation, Starnews NG writes that Mr. Adewale stated: “In 2019, Leadership and Governance Canada Inc. launched the Canada–Nigeria Investment Conference, with a simple objective: to bring people together and create stronger business, investment and economic connections between Canada and Nigeria.”
He noted that the initiative has evolved significantly, particularly following a 2024 collaboration with NIDCOM, which “further strengthened our commitment to connecting Nigeria with its global community.”
Mr. Adewale identified the Nigerian diaspora as an untapped reservoir of potential. “Wherever Nigerians have settled around the world, they have taken with them their talent, knowledge, skills, businesses, resources and global connections,” he remarked. “And despite being far from home, millions of Nigerians continue to care deeply about Nigeria and want to see the country succeed.”
Challenging the delegates to move beyond rhetoric, he posed a series of critical questions: “How do we turn knowledge into innovation? How do we turn relationships into partnerships? How do we turn capital into investment? And how do we turn investment into businesses, jobs and opportunities for Nigerians?”
He emphasised that development is a collective responsibility, stating, “The private sector has a role in investing, creating businesses, generating innovation. And the diaspora has an enormous role to play by bringing capital, expertise, technology, ideas and international experience. But none of these forces can reach their full potential working alone. We need to connect them.”
Setting the tone for the conference, Mr. Adewale urged participants to view the event as a catalyst for tangible outcomes. “We are not here simply to celebrate the Nigerian diaspora. We are here to harness its strength. We are not here simply to talk about opportunities. We are here to create them. And we are not here simply to talk about Nigeria’s future. We are here to help build it.”
Starnews NG reports that he concluded by stressing that the success of the summit will be measured by post-conference action. “The success of this conference will not be measured by how many people are in this room or how many speeches are delivered. It will be measured by what happens after we leave this room. Did a new partnership begin? Did an investment take place? Did a business opportunity emerge?”
“The Nigeria we want tomorrow will not be built by government alone,” Mr. Adewale added. “It will not be built by business alone. And it will not be built by the diaspora alone. It will be built by all of us, working together.”
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