Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has linked the growing presence of Nigerians in influential international positions to President Bola Tinubu’s foreign policy agenda, urging the federal government to harness their expertise for national development.
Key Highlights
- Dabiri-Erewa links Nigerians’ global leadership roles to Tinubu’s 4D foreign policy agenda.
- She highlights Nigerians excelling in cancer control, epidemic preparedness, medicine, academia and corporate strategy.
- NiDCOM calls for mentorship, knowledge-sharing and investment partnerships with diaspora professionals.
- She describes the diaspora as “an invaluable reservoir of talent, experience, innovation, and opportunity”.
Dabiri-Erewa said Nigerians occupying prominent positions in international organisations, global corporations, healthcare institutions and universities demonstrate the country’s wealth of talent and its potential to contribute to global development.
She made the remarks in a statement issued by NiDCOM on Monday, October 26, 2026, in Abuja, while commending Nigerians abroad for their reported professional achievements.
Diaspora At The Heart Of The 4Ds
According to her, the accomplishments reinforce the importance of the diaspora component of Tinubu’s four-point foreign policy agenda, known as the 4Ds: development, democracy, demography and diaspora.
She argued that Nigeria could benefit more from the skills, professional networks, investments and international experience of its citizens abroad if stronger mechanisms were established to connect them with institutions and development priorities at home.
“These achievements are a source of pride to Nigeria. They demonstrate that Nigerians, wherever they may reside, continue to contribute significantly to global progress,” Dabiri-Erewa said.
Nigerians Making Global Impact
Among the Nigerians whose reported accomplishments she highlighted were Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu in international cancer control; Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar in global epidemic preparedness; Dr. Bolu Ogunyemi in Canadian medical leadership; and Prof. Christian Harrison in academic management.
Others include Ugwechi Amadi in global corporate strategy, Dr. Salamat Ahuoiza Aliu-Ibrahim in specialised neurosurgery, and Ifeanyi Umunna in student leadership at Harvard Law School.
Dabiri-Erewa said their achievements underscore the need for Nigeria to develop practical partnerships with diaspora professionals, particularly in healthcare, education, scientific research, technology, entrepreneurship and public policy.
She called for stronger knowledge-sharing arrangements, professional mentorship programmes, investment partnerships and institutional cooperation to ensure that expertise acquired abroad translates into tangible benefits for Nigerians.
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The NiDCOM chief also explained that the four pillars of Tinubu’s foreign policy agenda recognise the contributions Nigerians abroad can make to economic growth, democratic institutions, human capital development and international engagement.
She urged young Nigerians to draw inspiration from compatriots making an impact internationally, stressing the importance of excellence, integrity, innovation and dedication in professional and public life.
Dabiri-Erewa reaffirmed NiDCOM’s commitment to identifying, documenting and celebrating Nigerians abroad while strengthening engagement with them in support of the Federal Government’s development objectives.
“Our diaspora is not merely a community living beyond Nigeria’s sovereign boundaries; it is an invaluable reservoir of talent, experience, innovation, and opportunity,” she said.
She added that stronger engagement with Nigerians abroad could help improve the country’s global image, deepen international partnerships and support national development.
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