Jeffrey Daniel Calls on Africans in the Diaspora to Reconnect with the Continent

Legendary American dancer and R&B icon Jeffrey Daniel has appealed to Africans living abroad to reconnect with their roots by visiting or relocating to the continent, stressing that Africa, particularly Nigeria, remains a place of identity, purpose, and opportunity.

Daniel made the call during a visit to the headquarters of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) in Abuja, where he met with the Commission’s Chairman/CEO, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa. He shared personal reflections on his decision to relocate permanently to Nigeria, describing the move as deeply fulfilling and long overdue.

A founding member of the iconic soul-funk group Shalamar, Daniel said his participation in the fifth Badagry Door of Return Festival marked a powerful moment of healing and reconnection. Walking through the Door of Return, he noted, symbolised a reversal of the painful history associated with the transatlantic slave trade and represented a spiritual reconnection with his ancestry.

He praised Nigerians in the diaspora for their global impact, pointing to strong representation and excellence across sectors such as technology, sports, science, and the creative industries, particularly in the United States and Europe. According to him, a significant proportion of Nigerians abroad are top-performing students, reflecting the country’s intellectual strength and resilience.

Daniel urged Africans worldwide to channel their skills, resources, and experience back into rebuilding the continent. He described Nigerian culture as vibrant and intact, highlighting its languages, cuisine, traditions, and diversity. Despite infrastructural challenges, he said Nigerians continue to stand out globally for their creativity and determination.

Using a striking analogy, Daniel likened Nigeria to a luxury vehicle that may have dents but should be repaired and valued, not abandoned. He stressed that national challenges should inspire commitment and solutions, not disengagement.

Welcoming him, Dabiri-Erewa described Daniel’s return and decision to reside in Nigeria as historic and symbolic. She said it aligns with NiDCOM’s mandate to encourage diaspora engagement, reinvestment, and national development, adding that his journey represents more than celebrity, it speaks to heritage, identity, and belonging.

She commended his participation in the Badagry festival, describing the experience as emotional and unifying for Africans and people of African descent globally. Dabiri-Erewa reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to using culture and creativity as tools for national development and global rebranding.

Now 70, Daniel remains active in the global music scene and continues to perform with a reformed Shalamar lineup. He is also widely recognised for teaching Michael Jackson the backslide dance move, later known as the moonwalk, and for co-choreographing iconic videos such as Bad and Smooth Criminal.