By Olumide Akinrinlola
TORONTO, CANADA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has challenged Nigerians living in the diaspora to look beyond emotional patriotism and recognise that Nigeria currently offers one of the most lucrative and compelling business landscapes for global capital. The President delivered this charge at the opening of the landmark Nigeria Diaspora Economic Conference (NiDEC 2026) held in the Greater Toronto Area under the theme “Invest Nigeria; Thrive Abroad.”
StarNews NG reports that the President, who was ably represented on Thursday at the summit by a high-powered federal delegation led by his Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, made it clear that the administration’s call for diaspora investment is rooted in economic viability rather than mere sentiment.
“A message to the diaspora is clear: we do not ask you to invest in Nigeria only because Nigeria is home. We invite you to invest because Nigeria offers a compelling business proposition,” the President stated. The address emphasised that the federal government is actively executing bold, systemic overhauls under the Renewed Hope Agenda to transition Nigeria from a consumption-dependent nation into a production-driven powerhouse.
Delivering the address, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila reminded attendees that rebuilding the nation requires a collaborative effort that spans across international borders. He emphasised that the government cannot do it alone, and that every citizen abroad holds a piece of the puzzle.
“Making Nigeria great again is a task that must be accomplished by all of us, no matter where we reside in the world. It is our collective responsibility to build the nation we desire,” Gbajabiamila stated, rallying the diaspora community to action.
Addressing the hesitations of cautious investors, the President urged the diaspora to seize the moment, noting that the greatest returns belong to those who act during periods of foundational growth and structural reform.
“While some are waiting for the perfect moment to make investment, those who are taking opportunistically positioning themselves as the early birds will reap the first-mover advantage,” Tinubu urged.
A major focus of the conference, organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) led by Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in partnership with The Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS) and various international business stakeholders, is the strategic redirection of diaspora funds. With Nigerian diaspora remittances reaching a staggering $20.93 billion—over four times the nation’s total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), the President noted that this capital must be weaponised for long-term wealth creation.
“We are implementing reforms to stabilise the economy and create opportunities. I urge our brothers and sisters abroad to invest, innovate, and partner with us… to convert remittances into structured investments that will drive Nigeria’s economic transformation,” the address noted.
The administration highlighted several high-yield priority sectors primed for diaspora collaboration:
- Agro-Processing & Manufacturing: To scale up local production and secure food supply chains.
- ICT & Digital Enterprise: To leverage Nigeria’s booming youth tech ecosystem.
- Infrastructure & Energy: To build sustainable power, transport, and real estate networks.
Acknowledging past investor anxieties, Starnews NG writes that the federal delegation reassured attendees that current economic policies are explicitly tailored to foster a predictable, secure, and business-friendly climate. By dismantling regulatory bottlenecks and stabilising fiscal frameworks, the government aims to protect foreign inflows and guarantee a safe environment for capital growth.
The multi-city economic summit continues its sessions today at the Apollo Convention Centre in Mississauga, drawing governors, cabinet ministers, financial institutional leaders, and entrepreneurs all focused on co-creating Nigeria’s economic future.
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