The energy was palpable as diaspora innovators, investors, and education experts converged at the 8th Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS) in Abuja to explore how technology and education can drive inclusive growth, job creation, and national development.
At the Education and Human Capital session, moderated by Prof. Onyishi Ernest Ike, participants spotlighted innovative strategies to enhance learning access, quality, and employability.
Ike emphasised that sustained investment in education remains central to Nigeria’s long-term growth saying, “Our young people are our greatest asset. Investing in their minds is investing in Nigeria’s future,” he said.
The three-day summit, themed “Fast-Tracking Regional and National Development by Mobilising Diaspora Investment,” drew over 1,000 physical participants and several virtual attendees from across the globe.
Organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) in collaboration with the Nigerian Diaspora Summit Initiative (NDSI), the event reaffirmed the Diaspora’s crucial role as a powerhouse for innovation, enterprise, and sustainable growth.
Technology and education took centre stage as innovators showcased transformative ideas in FinTech, ICT, logistics, and e-learning, during a session moderated by Ms. Evelyn Dan Epelle, MD/CEO of IGET.
Epelle underscored the transformative power of technology in Nigeria’s development journey.
“FinTech continues to redefine inclusion in Nigeria’s digital economy. Technology is no longer a luxury, it is the foundation for Nigeria’s next growth phase, and the diaspora is a powerful engine behind that transformation,” she said.
Participants also discussed how diaspora-led collaborations can translate into tangible investments that expand access to quality education, strengthen digital skills, and foster youth employability.
Dr. Badewa Adejugbe-Williams, Coordinator of NDIS, described the summit as “a bridge connecting ideas, people, and opportunities,” noting that every edition tells “a story of progress, resilience, and possibility.”
She praised Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, for her unwavering leadership in linking the Diaspora to Nigeria’s development goals.
“The diaspora continues to prove that distance does not diminish patriotism, it strengthens it,” Adejugbe-Williams added.
Highlights of the summit included high-level panel discussions, startup pitches, and exhibitions across priority sectors such as education, technology, health, agriculture, and creative industries—all geared toward positioning the Nigerian Diaspora as a true force for innovation and nation-building.
