Nigerian Diaspora Group Launches Investment Platform to Drive Economic Growth

The Nigerians in Diaspora Chamber of Commerce (NiDCC) has unveiled a new economic development initiative aimed at converting diaspora expertise and capital into tangible investments across Nigeria’s key sectors.

Launched in Lagos, the initiative, described as a mid- to long-term national development strategy, seeks to systematically connect Nigerians abroad with credible local partners to unlock scalable economic opportunities and accelerate national growth.

Speaking at the launch and accompanying business summit, NiDCC President, Patience Ndidi Ofure-Key, said the project is designed as a structured deal-making platform that prioritises execution over rhetoric. According to her, the goal is to transform ideas, commitments, and memoranda into bankable projects and implemented contracts.

Ofure-Key noted that Nigeria’s diaspora community represents a powerful but underutilised economic force, stressing that many Nigerian professionals thriving abroad were built by the country’s educational and social systems. She argued that the next logical step is for that success to be replicated through direct investments and enterprise development at home.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Pat Utomi, underscored the strategic importance of the diaspora, citing its strong representation among highly skilled professionals in advanced economies. He maintained that a community with such depth in human capital should play a central role in Nigeria’s economic repositioning.

NiDCC also highlighted the imbalance between remittances and productive investment, noting that while Nigerians abroad send an estimated $20–24 billion home annually, only a small fraction is channelled into structured economic ventures. The chamber says its platform is designed to close that gap by directing funds into viable, growth-oriented projects.

Priority focus areas outlined under the initiative include food security and agricultural transformation, leadership and skills development, global trade missions, diaspora investment forums, and the expansion of tourism and creative industries.

Former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, who also spoke at the event, praised the initiative, describing it as a necessary bridge between foreign investors and credible local opportunities. He expressed confidence that NiDCC’s framework would help reduce investment risks and unlock long-term value for the Nigerian economy.