The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at leveraging the expertise of Nigerians at home and abroad to drive innovation and technological advancement.
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, and Khalil Suleiman Halilu, Vice Chairman/CEO of NASENI, reached the agreement during a strategic meeting in Abuja.
Dabiri-Erewa described the collaboration as a “timely intervention,” noting that it would bridge the gap between local innovators and diaspora-based scientists, engineers, technologists, and entrepreneurs.
She emphasised that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes innovation and economic growth.
“This partnership will foster opportunities for Nigerians everywhere to work together for the country’s progress through sharing ideas, skills, and experiences that can build a stronger, more innovative Nigeria,” she said.
The NiDCOM boss commended NASENI’s ongoing projects and pledged full support, encouraging the agency to participate in the forthcoming 8th Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS) scheduled for November 11–13, 2025, in Abuja.
Highlighting NASENI’s initiatives, Halilu cited Revolut, a payment platform providing low-cost real-time transfers; the Innovation Hub and Incubation Programme, which funds innovators both locally and in the diaspora; and Delta-2, a technology collaboration project with the Czech Republic now entering its third phase.
He revealed that NASENI’s engagement with NiDCOM was primarily to introduce two flagship projects: a government-backed, multi-currency payment platform offering affordable, seamless transactions, and a diaspora-focused initiative that connects Nigerian professionals abroad to practical science, technology, and entrepreneurship projects for national development.
Halilu praised NiDCOM’s diaspora database, stressing its importance in achieving the objectives of the partnership.
Both agencies also agreed to set up a joint working committee to streamline collaboration and design projects with a focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), as well as broader diaspora engagement.
