ARCO MD Okoigun Urges Youths To Use Global Skills For Nigeria’s Development

The group managing director of ARCO Group Plc, Engr Alfred Okoigun, has urged Nigerian youths to transform the challenge of brain drain into “brain circulation” by using the knowledge, skills, networks and global experience acquired abroad to drive national development.

Speaking at the 2026 National Diaspora Day Celebration, NiDCOM Youth Summit and National Diaspora Merit Awards held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Okoigun said Nigeria’s future would depend on deliberate investment in human capital, stronger engagement with the country’s diaspora and a generation of young people committed to integrity, innovation and excellence.

Speaking on the theme, “Diaspora Health Advocacy for Nigerian Youths,” Okoigun commended the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), led by its Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, for creating a platform that brings together young Nigerians, distinguished professionals and members of the diaspora to exchange ideas, inspire one another and develop practical solutions to issues that will shape the country’s future.

He also praised the Federal Government for supporting the initiative, describing it as evidence of its commitment to empowering young Nigerians and harnessing the expertise of Nigerians living abroad for national development.

According to him, while Nigeria possesses abundant natural resources, its greatest asset remains its people.

“The greatest investment any nation can make is not in its infrastructure, its natural resources or even its technology. It is in its people,” he said.

He argued that Nigeria had yet to fully realise its enormous potential because it had not been sufficiently intentional about developing human capacity.

“Buildings can be constructed, machines can be purchased and technology can be imported, but the knowledge, character and creativity of a generation must be intentionally developed,” he said.

Addressing students drawn from secondary schools, universities, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and participants in the inaugural ARCO Talent Initiative delivered in partnership with TAP Inspire, Okoigun said the country needed their ideas, creativity and determination now, not sometime in the future.

“Nigeria needs you. Not at some distant point in the future. Not only after you have achieved success. Nigeria needs your curiosity, your ideas, your integrity and your determination, starting today.”

He said one of the major lessons from the summit was that meaningful conversations should produce practical outcomes rather than end with speeches and newspaper reports.

Recalling discussions at the previous National Diaspora Day celebration, he said the partnership between ARCO Group and TAP Inspire, which gave birth to the inaugural ARCO Talent Initiative, demonstrated that promises made at such gatherings could translate into tangible opportunities for young Nigerians.

“Too often people think conferences end with speeches and stories. Today shows that NiDCOM is different. They promised something and they are delivering on that promise,” he said.

Okoigun explained that the initiative was conceived as a pilot programme to provide practical learning, mentorship and future-focused skills while addressing one of the country’s biggest employment challenges.

“Our young people are intelligent. The challenge is not intelligence but employability. Many graduates leave school without the practical skills employers require. This initiative is designed to bridge that gap,” he said.

He said the future of healthcare extended far beyond the traditional professions of medicine and nursing, urging young Nigerians to explore opportunities in biomedical engineering, biotechnology, pharmaceutical sciences, artificial intelligence, robotics, digital health, telemedicine, clinical research, health informatics and public health.

According to him, science, technology and innovation remain indispensable to sustainable national development.

“Scientific discovery drives healthcare. Engineering advances development. Research produces new medicines and better treatment outcomes. Today’s investment in knowledge becomes tomorrow’s national development,” he said.

Okoigun noted that Nigerian doctors, nurses, pharmacists, researchers and other healthcare professionals in the diaspora continued to distinguish themselves globally, proving that Nigerian talent could compete with the very best anywhere in the world.

He, however, stressed that the challenge was to ensure such expertise benefited Nigeria.

“Brain drain must increasingly become brain circulation, where knowledge, innovation, mentorship and investment flow back to strengthen our nation,” he said.

He told young Nigerians there was nothing wrong with travelling abroad in search of education, experience and opportunities, but urged them never to lose sight of their connection to Nigeria.

“The knowledge you acquire, the relationships you build and the experience you gain become even more valuable when they are used to strengthen the communities from which you come,” he said.

Okoigun also called on governments to create an enabling environment for young people to maximise their potential.

“You have the talent, the intelligence and the determination to succeed. Sometimes the environment limits your potential and makes it appear as though you are incapable. That is simply not true. Do not allow those barriers to define your future,” he said.

Drawing from ARCO Group’s long-standing investment in human capital development, he cited pharmaceutical scientist Dr Herietta Okuku as an example of what early support could achieve.

He recalled that the company recognised her through the Nigerian Excellence in Science and Technology Awards in 2001 and noted that 25 years later she had earned recognition from Marquis Who’s Who in the United States for her leadership and contributions to healthcare and pharmaceutical product development.

Her success, he said, demonstrated that identifying talent early, nurturing it consistently and supporting it with opportunities could produce global leaders.

Okoigun also praised the founder of Channels Television, Dr John Momoh, describing him as a model of integrity and professionalism.

He recalled meeting Momoh when he was a reporter with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) during the coverage of the first gas seminar organised by ARCO in Warri, saying his dedication and honesty earned him lasting trust and support when he later established Channels Television.

He commended Channels Television for consistently showcasing the achievements of Nigerians around the world, saying nation-building was not always about financial rewards but also about creating value for society.

Encouraging participants to uphold strong values, Okoigun urged them to continue learning, ask questions without fear, choose integrity even when no one was watching, treat people with respect and focus on solving meaningful problems.

“Success is measured not only by what you achieve for yourself but by the opportunities you create for others,” he said.

He added that Nigeria’s future would not be shaped only by people whose names appeared in history books but also by ordinary Nigerians who chose every day to do extraordinary things with honesty, excellence and perseverance.

Citing successful Nigerian entrepreneurs, including Aliko Dangote and other indigenous business leaders, he said many had built globally competitive businesses despite difficult operating environments.

He encouraged young people not to lose hope, saying there were still many Nigerians willing to support others without seeking personal gain.

He congratulated NiDCOM for what he described as a remarkable initiative and reaffirmed ARCO Group’s commitment to investing in Nigeria’s greatest asset – its people.

Following the address, ARCO Group reinforced that commitment by donating laptops to outstanding science students from participating secondary schools.

The beneficiaries announced were Okpe Diva of Ginger Private School; Bangana Naomi of Community Secondary School, Asokoro; Alpha Sadiq of Not Forgotten Initiative School; Godwin Oda Trona of Mosque Charity Education Initiative (100 Naira a Day School); Michael Chinedu of Government Secondary School, Tudun Wada; Ayemiro Firdaus Olamide of Modern Secondary School, Maitama; Aliyu Zainab Bello of Government Secondary School, Garki, Abuja; Adedunmi Oluwanisola of Government Secondary School, Wuye; Oyabola Iman Adedolapo of Government Day Secondary School, Wuse II, Abuja; Oya To Ame Asein of Christian Community School, Wuse II, Abuja; and Aisha Isa Yahaya of ITITE Anos Academy.

In addition, NiDCOM partner Bobby-Digi Olisa donated 10 tablets to be won through a raffle draw, while EJ Anosike presented 20 crested school bags for other lucky students attending the summit.