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By Nasir Kura
The federal government on Tuesday organised the first Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit in order to make unlock economic opportunities in the country attractive to diaspora investment.
The event was put together by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora in collaboration with the Nigeria Diaspora Alumni Network (NIDAN) and Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC).
The three-day economic summit with the theme “Activating Diaspora Investments for a Diversified Economy” is organised to establish a platform where diaspora investors can interact with potential sponsors, partners and the government, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
She said Nigerians in the Diaspora currently remits over N22 billion into the nation through formal channels.
Also speaking, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, said the summit came after putting into consideration the invaluable contribution of thousands of Nigerians in the diaspora.
Also speaking, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Audu Ogbeh, and the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, identified several opportunities opened for Nigerians in diaspora.
According to them, the federal government has put in place machineries that would aid smooth incursions of local and foreign investors into the economy.
Organisers said the summit would feature plenaries on agriculture businesses and extractives, infrastructure and real estate, manufacturing, healthcare, waste management and energy development.
Other sectors include education, entertainment, hospitality and tourism, manufacturing, telecommunications, transportation and environmental remediation.
