Tinubu Reaffirms Commitment To Nigeria’s Place In Global Community

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday in Kigali assured the Nigerian community in Rwanda that his administration will continue working to ensure that Nigeria takes its rightful place in the comity of nations.

He also pledged that his government would confront all obstacles hindering Nigerians from realising their potential, both at home and in the diaspora.

According to a statement by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the President made the remarks during an interactive session with a delegation of Nigerians living in Rwanda, comprising academics, professionals, entrepreneurs, and students.

Tinubu commended them for serving as good ambassadors of Nigeria through their conduct, respect for the laws of their host country, and contributions to pan-African development.

He said his administration’s reform programmes were already yielding results, adding that the economy had stabilised despite early challenges.

“Our reforms are working, and the economy is bright and stable,” the President said.

He added that government has a duty to provide an enabling environment for Nigerians everywhere to thrive, assuring transparency and inclusiveness in governance.

“We owe every Nigerian, both at home and abroad, the provision of the enabling environment to break and lead in all spheres,” Tinubu said. “I will lead with sincerity regardless of tribe or any other considerations.”

The President urged Nigerians in the diaspora to embrace unity and see themselves as one people, regardless of ethnic background.

“The Green-White-Green flag means so much to all of us. None of us has control over where we are born. Your tribe does not matter as you have no control over where you are born or who your parents are,” he said.

Reflecting on Rwanda’s past and recovery, Tinubu said the country had “neutralised the past and embraced the future,” describing it as an example of national renewal.

He said the symbol on his cap represents his commitment to breaking the “shackles of poverty, ignorance, disease, and all barriers to human progress.”

The President directed Nigeria’s Charge d’Affaires in Rwanda, Ambassador Ibrahim Zanna, to work with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and his office to address concerns affecting Nigerians in the country and harness their economic and intellectual potential.

NiDCOM Director-General, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who led the delegation, said the group comprised high-achieving Nigerians, including 28 PhD holders, many of whom occupy leadership positions in multinational organisations.

She said they were contributing significantly to sectors such as education, ICT, hospitality, sports, and business, while also projecting Nigeria positively abroad.

Chairman of the Association of Nigerians in Rwanda, Prof. Umar Wali, said the group was formed through the efforts of Nigerian Technical Aid Corps volunteers and has promoted unity, lawful conduct, and investment among Nigerians in Rwanda.

He, however, raised concerns about difficulties in obtaining and renewing passports, noting the absence of a passport office at the Nigerian High Commission in Kigali.

“There is no Passport Office at the Nigerian High Commission in Kigali, and many members of our community face difficulties renewing passports and obtaining passports for newborn babies,” he said.

Other speakers, including UNFPA Country Representative Dr. Olugbemi Adekakan and UNDP Timbuktoo Africa Initiative Programme Manager Fatima Attahiru, expressed interest in supporting Nigeria’s development through collaboration in human capital development and innovation.

A former Nigerian-Canadian basketball executive, Michael Masai Ujiri, said he was interested in helping develop Nigeria’s sports infrastructure into a modern, investment-driven sector, citing his work on Rwanda’s Zaria Court sports complex.

The Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Khalil Sulaiman Halilu, said the agency had developed diaspora-focused programmes to enable Nigerians abroad contribute to national development.

Members of the delegation praised President Tinubu’s leadership and pledged continued efforts to project Nigeria positively in Rwanda and beyond.