Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigerians in the diaspora to contribute actively to the nation’s development, citing ongoing reforms and investment-friendly policies designed to strengthen the economy and create opportunities.
Speaking at the 8th Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit in Abuja on Wednesday, themed “Fast-Tracking Regional and National Development by Mobilising Diaspora Investment,” Shettima commended the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) led by Abike Dabiri-Erewa for its dedication to connecting Nigerians abroad with opportunities at home.
He said the summit’s theme aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of inclusive growth driven by collaboration between citizens at home and abroad. “Nigeria’s prosperity will come faster when the public sector, private sector, and our global diaspora work together in unity of purpose,” he said.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed, Shettima outlined several new initiatives to deepen diaspora engagement, including the proposed Diaspora Bond, which will allow Nigerians abroad to invest directly in major infrastructure projects.
He explained that reforms such as the introduction of the Non-Resident BVN and a more competitive exchange rate have improved remittance inflows, which reached about $21 billion in 2024 and continue to sustain millions of households and small businesses.
Highlighting the role of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the Vice President said they remain the backbone of Nigeria’s economy but still face limited access to financing. He noted that the federal government had introduced a ₦75 billion MSME Intervention Fund to provide loans for 75,000 small businesses.
Shettima reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to infrastructure expansion as part of efforts to attract diaspora investment. “Come home—not just physically, but economically,” he urged. “Invest in our roads, our startups, and our people. Your expertise and resources are essential to our national growth.”