The Federal Government of Nigeria has called on Nigerians living abroad to return home and contribute to the nation’s development.
This appeal was made by Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), during the 12th Convocation lecture at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD).
The event took place in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State’s capital, where Dabiri-Erewa delivered a lecture titled Diaspora Engagements for National Development.
In her address, Dabiri-Erewa emphasized the invaluable role of Nigerians in the diaspora in addressing Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges.
She urged them to bring their global exposure, professional expertise, and innovative ideas back to Nigeria to help fuel national growth.
Her words: “We cannot rely on foreigners to develop our nation. Diaspora Nigerians must embrace the opportunities in their home country and come back to be part of the solution.”
She also noted that through NIDCOM’s framework, there are ongoing efforts to provide avenues for the diaspora community to engage in national development projects.
Afe Babalola, the founder of ABUAD, praised Dabiri-Erewa for her insightful lecture. He encouraged Nigerians, especially the youth, to resist the temptation of leaving the country for opportunities abroad, emphasizing the nation’s abundant resources.
Babalola stressed that Nigeria’s youth have the potential to make the country great and that ABUAD has made significant strides in the education and healthcare sectors, demonstrating what can be achieved in Nigeria.
He highlighted the importance of utilizing Nigeria’s human resources and expertise to push the country forward, with diaspora Nigerians playing a central role in shaping its future.
He further stated that the Nigerian diaspora community is a key asset in addressing the country’s development challenges, offering a framework to bridge the gap between global expertise and local opportunities.
Recall that Dabiri-Erewa recently condemned the treatment of the Nigerian senior football team by Libyan authorities ahead of a crucial African Cup of Nations qualifier.
The Super Eagles faced significant disruptions when their flight was diverted to an airport far from the match venue.
The diversion necessitated an additional three-hour journey by road, raising serious safety concerns given Libya’s tumultuous environment.
