President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerians living abroad to return home and actively participate in the country’s economic transformation by contributing their skills, expertise, and resources.
The President made the appeal during an interactive session with members of the Nigerian community in Japan, held on the sidelines of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9).
Nigeria has one of the largest and most influential diaspora communities in the world, with millions of citizens living and working in Europe, North America, Asia, and other African countries. This group contributes billions of dollars annually in remittances, but much of their expertise and entrepreneurial potential remains untapped at home.
President Tinubu’s call reflects his administration’s recognition that diaspora involvement is critical to Nigeria’s economic revival, particularly at a time when the country is seeking to diversify its economy, attract foreign investment, and strengthen national development.
The President expressed satisfaction that some Nigerians are already returning home for business and career opportunities.
He acknowledged that while individuals have the right to live abroad, Nigeria’s growth depends on citizens choosing to invest back home.
He noted key government achievements in passport issuance, investment reforms, healthcare infrastructure, and business competitiveness, all aimed at making Nigeria more attractive for citizens and investors.
Tinubu emphasized that national development cannot be left to government alone, but requires collective responsibility from both citizens at home and abroad.
The President’s remarks underscore a broader strategy of diaspora diplomacy and engagement, which seeks not only to tap into financial remittances but also to harness knowledge transfer, innovation, and global networks.
Countries such as China and India have historically benefited from the return of their diaspora, who brought back capital, technology, and expertise that fueled rapid industrial and economic growth. Nigeria, with its highly skilled diaspora, stands at a similar crossroads.
However, experts caution that for this vision to succeed, the Nigerian government must address lingering issues such as infrastructure deficits, insecurity, and bureaucratic bottlenecks that discourage investment.
President Tinubu’s call to Nigerians abroad is a reminder that the future of Nigeria cannot be built by government alone. The diaspora holds immense potential to accelerate transformation in technology, healthcare, agriculture, and industrial development.
But for this call to yield real results, the government must create an enabling environment that earns the confidence of returning professionals and investors. With genuine collaboration between the diaspora and those at home, Nigeria can unlock a new era of prosperity and global competitiveness.
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