NIDCOM Leverages Diaspora Investment For Transformation In Nigeria’s Health Sector

The Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and other stakeholders have intensified efforts to harness the resources, expertise, skill and experience of the Nigerians in the Diaspora to positively transform the country’s health and other critical sectors to boost the Nigerian economy.

The hallmark of the NIDCOM activities is the enhanced engagement with the Diasporas, which has yielded immense benefits for Nigerians in varied sector as the Commission led by Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has made meaningful impact with its yearly National Diaspora Day (NDD) celebration and National Diaspora Merit Awards 2026.

This year’s NDD held at the Banquet Hall of Nigeria’s Seat of Power, the Presidential Villa on Friday, July 24, 2026, appeared remarkable as it was full of prospects for more Diaspora investments into the nation’s economy, in line with the stated objective of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda premised on the 4Ds( Diplomacy, Diaspora, Demography and Development).

Reacting to the increasing opportunities presented by the Diaspora, President Bola Tinubu on the occasion of the 2026 NDD with the theme: “Harnessing Global Diaspora Medical Expertise to Strengthen Local Health Systems for National Development,” said that Nigerians in the Diaspora have the skill, expertise and the experience to harness the opportunities in the health sector for positive transformation of the country.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, President Tinubu said that bringing home the Nigerians in the Diaspora to invest in the health and other critical sectors of the Nigerian economy captures the essence of the shared vision and mission in the Renewed Hope Agenda of his government.

He acknowledged the challenge the Nigerian healthcare system faces such as inadequate infrastructure in many communities, shortages of skilled medical personnel, gaps in research, innovation and specialized care, and policy inconsistency.

He, however, noted that these challenges are not insurmountable, adding that with the collective strength of Nigerians in the Diaspora, these challenges can be transformed into opportunities.

He said,  “Our diaspora is a source of national pride. Across the world, Nigerian doctors, nurses and public health leaders are saving lives, advancing science, and shaping global healthcare. Today, we celebrate not only your achievements abroad but also your enduring commitment to the homeland.”

The President said that his government is determined to expand Diaspora Medical Missions to serve communities across Nigeria and encourage sustainability of the same as well as establish knowledge transfer partnerships with university and teaching hospitals.

He added that his government will leverage telemedicine platforms to connect Diaspora specialists with patients and practitioners at home, encourage Diaspora-led investments in hospitals, pharmaceutical industries, and research centers and strengthen and empower NiDCOM more to deliver excellent coordination of the Diaspora engagements.

President Tinubu  commended the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) under the leadership of Hon. (Dr) Abike Dabiri-Erewa, for its tireless work in coordinating Diaspora engagement, stressing that NiDCOM has been the bridge connecting the nation to its sons and daughters abroad, ensuring that your expertise, investments, and goodwill find meaningful pathways into national development.

He also lauded the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative (DHII) 2026 coordinated by NiDCOM and Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is a laudable initiative, bringing together all our Diaspora Medical Practitioners across the globe to participate in the development of the country.

In his keynote speech, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, described the DHII as a flagship intervention designed to harness the expertise, experience, innovation and professional networks of Nigerian healthcare professionals abroad, driving knowledge transfer, specialist medical outreach, capacity building, clinical mentorship, research collaboration and health workforce development.

He affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to fostering stronger ties with Nigerians abroad and commended the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Hon. (Dr) Abike Dabiri Erewa, and the entire management and staff of the Commission for their dedication to advancing diaspora engagement and implementing impactful initiatives such as the DHII.

In her address, Dabiri Erewa  highlighted the DHII’s zonal medical missions across all six geopolitical zones, delivered in partnership with diaspora physician associations including CANPAD, MANSAG, ANPA, NAMDA and the Nigerian Doctors Forum, South Africa, covering areas from maternal and child health to sickle cell screening, emergency surgery and neurosurgery.

She noted that diaspora medical groups have equipped hospitals and primary health centres and donated equipment worth billions of naira, alongside the Diaspora Bridge programme bringing academics home for lectures and sabbaticals, and the new Silicon Valley Tech Bridge partnership with San José State University to train young Nigerians in emerging technologies.

She reported that diaspora remittances have grown from $17 billion in 2019 to over $21 billion in 2025, pointed to upcoming investment summits in Abuja and Toronto in August, and announced a new partnership with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria to give the diaspora access to affordable housing at home, to be launched in the United Kingdom in August.

Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Miriam Morales Palmero, in her remarks said that bilateral ties between her country and Nigeria has been very robust in the medical field where thousands of Cuban doctors, nurses and technicians   have served in over 40 African countries including Nigeria.

According to her, Cuba’s medical system has provided healthcare to rural communities, remote areas and populations with limited access to medical services.   She added that over 400 Nigerian students have graduated from Cuban universities mainly in medicine, heath services and other fields becoming an important human bridge between the two countries.