Accomplishments Of Nigerians Abroad Excite NiDCOM

Nigerians in the Diaspora are making massive achievements around the world in different sectors, building capacity and enhancing the reputation of the country and helping to propagate the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu championed by the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM).

The quest by the commission to exploit the skills, technical and professional competences of the Nigerians in the Diaspora to better the country will be boosted by Tuesday’s Midterm elections in the US where four Nigerian-Americans have just won election in the United States.

The winners are Will Jawando, the Democratic Party Candidate, who defeated the Republican candidate Esther Wells in the Montgomery County executive in Maryland, with a wide margin after over 72% of the votes have been counted.

He scored 237,383 votes representing 78.15 % of the vote cast.

Others include Junior Ezeonu, also a Democrat said to be originally from Anambra state,who won a seat in the state’s House of Representatives for District 101 after no Republican opponent entered the race.

And From Washington DC comes a sweet victory for another Nigerian Oye Owolewa, as well as Democratic Carol Kazeem, who retained her seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing District 159 after defeating Republican Michael Bannon.

The Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa, must be riding on the crest of a wave with these massive results, which is in line with the Commission’s agenda to celebrate Nigerians who have made great contributions to humanity in their countries of abode.

Recently the former Lagos lawmaker hailed the Nigerians in the Diaspora who have attained prominent leadership positions in international organisations, global corporations, healthcare institutions, and academic establishments, describing their achievements as a source of national pride and a testament to the wealth of talent Nigeria contributes to the world.

Hon. Dabiri-Erewa noted that the reported appointments and professional accomplishments of Nigerians abroad demonstrate their expertise, dedication, and capacity to make meaningful contributions to global development, innovation, research, and leadership.

She stated that these achievements resonate with the 4Ds of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Foreign Policy Agenda: Development, Democracy, Demography, and Diaspora, particularly the recognition of the Nigerian diaspora as a strategic partner in advancing national development and strengthening Nigeria’s international engagement.

According to her, the growing visibility of Nigerians in influential global positions reinforces the importance of harnessing diaspora expertise, professional networks, and international experience to support Nigeria’s development priorities.

“These achievements are a source of pride to Nigeria. They demonstrate that Nigerians, wherever they may reside, continue to contribute significantly to global progress. Their accomplishments reinforce the importance of the Diaspora pillar of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 4Ds Foreign Policy Agenda and the need to engage our citizens abroad as valuable partners in national development,” she stated.

The four pillars of Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement provide a framework for understanding the strategic relevance of Nigerians abroad, where development is advanced when diaspora professionals contribute expertise, innovation, investment, and knowledge to Nigeria’s growth.

Democracy is strengthened through the promotion of good governance, institutional development, and democratic values, while Demography recognises the significance of Nigeria’s large, youthful, and globally distributed population as a source of human capital.

In the same vein Diaspora underscores the importance of engaging Nigerians abroad and mobilising their skills, networks, and resources for national progress.

Among the Nigerians whose reported achievements have attracted attention are Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu in international cancer control; Professor Ibrahim Abubakar in global epidemic preparedness; Dr. Bolu Ogunyemi in Canadian medical leadership; Professor Christian Harrison in academic management; Ugwechi Amadi in global corporate strategy; Dr. Salamat Ahuoiza Aliu-Ibrahim in specialised neurosurgery; and Ifeanyi Umunna in student leadership at Harvard Law School.

Hon. Dabiri-Erewa further stressed that the achievements of Nigerians abroad should serve as an impetus for stronger collaboration between Diaspora Professionals and institutions in Nigeria, particularly in healthcare, education, research, technology, entrepreneurship, and public policy.

She called for deliberate mechanisms to promote knowledge exchange, professional mentorship, investment partnerships, and institutional cooperation, noting that Nigeria stands to benefit significantly when the expertise of its citizens abroad is connected to national priorities.

The Chairman/CEO also encouraged young Nigerians to draw inspiration from the accomplishments of Nigerians making an impact internationally, emphasising the importance of excellence, integrity, innovation, and dedication in professional and public life.

She reaffirmed NiDCOM’s commitment to identifying, documenting, celebrating, and engaging Nigerians in the diaspora in support of the Federal Government’s development objectives.

“Our diaspora is not merely a community living beyond Nigeria’s sovereign boundaries; it is an invaluable reservoir of talent, experience, innovation, and opportunity. By strengthening our engagement with Nigerians abroad, we can translate individual achievements into broader benefits for our country,” she stated.

NiDCOM reiterated that the achievements of Nigerians in global leadership demonstrate the importance of sustained diasporic engagement and opportunities to deepen Nigeria’s international partnerships, enhance its global image, and advance a national development.