The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has called on Africans living abroad to leverage their expertise, influence and resources to accelerate innovation, investment and economic development across the continent.
Dabiri-Erewa made the call while speaking as a special guest at the 2026 Black Engineering Week in San Jose, where she addressed engineers, entrepreneurs, investors, and technology leaders on the theme, “Africans in Diaspora as Bridge Builders.”
Addressing the audience, she challenged African professionals in the diaspora to see themselves as a vital link between Africa and the rest of the world, saying their contributions extend beyond the countries where they currently reside.
She stated, “You left the continent, but you never really left. You live in two worlds and refuse to choose. You connect them. That is engineering at its highest level.”
The NiDCOM boss rejected the long-standing narrative of “brain drain,” describing Africans abroad instead as agents of “brain gain” and “brain circulation,” whose knowledge and skills are advancing technological innovation globally while creating new opportunities for Africa.
She identified talent, capital and credibility as the three major areas through which the African diaspora is already contributing to the continent’s development.
According to Dabiri-Erewa, although Black and African engineers remain underrepresented in Silicon Valley, many are helping to build technologies shaping the future.
She disclosed that NiDCOM is collaborating with state governments and diaspora partners to verify Nigerian professionals, promote remote work opportunities and make it easier for international companies to recruit skilled talent from Nigeria.
She also highlighted the economic potential of diaspora remittances, noting that funds sent home by Nigerians abroad could become a major driver of industrialisation, entrepreneurship, climate technology and venture capital if channelled into productive investments.
Beyond financial contributions, Dabiri-Erewa said the growing presence of Nigerians and other Africans in leadership positions within global technology companies continues to enhance Africa’s reputation and inspire young innovators across the continent.
She urged diaspora professionals to deliberately mentor young talents, create employment opportunities and invest in emerging entrepreneurs, while calling on African governments to remove bureaucratic obstacles that discourage diaspora investment and participation in national development.
The NiDCOM chairman further advocated stronger partnerships between institutions in Silicon Valley and African universities through expanded internship programmes, fellowships, research collaborations and innovation initiatives capable of unlocking opportunities for Africa’s more than 1.4 billion people.
Quoting the late Martin Luther King Jr., who said, “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality,” Dabiri-Erewa noted that today’s global network is powered by technology, innovation, capital and human talent.
She expressed optimism that Africa would not only produce the world’s next billion digital users but also the engineers who will develop future technologies.
The event also featured a Founders Showcase sponsored by Adobe in partnership with San Jose State University and the Black Engineers Network, bringing together engineers, investors and innovators for startup pitches, panel discussions and conversations focused on strengthening diaspora engagement with Africa.
