The 2025 Nigerian Diaspora Day- galvanizing and harnessing diaspora potentials for national development.

Chukwuma Nwachukwu (Head, Nigeria desk)

Recognizing the importance of the Nigerian Diaspora to economic and social development led to the establishment of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), which received legislative backing through the Nigeria in Diaspora Commission (Establishment) Act 2017. Since its establishment, NIDCOM has been headed by Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who previously led the Diaspora Committee of the Nigerian House of Representatives.

The National Diaspora Day Celebrations and National Diaspora Merit Award 2025 took place from Friday, July 25th to Saturday, July 26th, 2025, at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, State House, Abuja. The event was well-attended by hundreds of Nigerian citizens, both at home and in the diaspora, including members of the diplomatic community. His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, was ably represented by Mr. Tope Fasua, his Special Adviser on Economic Affairs.

In attendance were the Honourable Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Ojo, and several other members of the Federal Executive Council. Also present were the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, leading Sen. Aniekan Bassey, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, Hon. Sir Tochukwu Okere, Chairman of the House Committee on Diaspora Matters, and other members of the Nigerian National Assembly.

The event featured various activities, including a historic African Diaspora Discussion on the role of the African diaspora in national development, a celebrity interview segment, and the display of Nigerian cultural renditions by the Wazobia Cultural Troupe. The entertainment highlights of the evening were provided by the African-American Dance Group, Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet.

The event was sponsored by a range of NIDCOM partners, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, First Bank Plc, Arco Group Plc, Providus Bank, Abuja Investments Company Limited, Daniel Ford International, ExtraLarge Farms & Resorts, Meristem, Wema Bank, and others.

On the second day of the event, panelists discussed the theme “Optimizing Formidable Diaspora Potentials for National Development and Growth,” moderated by Professor Akintunde Akinade of Georgetown University, Qatar. The discussants included Professor Hauwa Ibrahim, Mrs. Voke Ogueh, Professor Hakeem Ibikunle Tijani, Professor Adedeji Bodunde Badiru, and Dr. Adebayo A. Akintobi.

The event concluded with the National Diaspora Merit Award & Dinner, where a litany of awards was presented to distinguished diasporas in various fields.