Vice President Kashim Shettima is expected to give the keynote address at the 6th Nigerians in Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS).
The summit is scheduled for 13 to 15 November 2023 in Abuja.
It was gathered that no fewer than 2,000 participants have indicated an interest in the 2023 Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit.
NDIS is a private sector initiative supported by the Nigerian government through the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), its primary aim is to demonstrate that in the face of stiff competition for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), targeting Nigerians in Diaspora for inward investment is probably the best strategy for a country like Nigeria with over 15m of its citizens gainfully domiciled in Diaspora.
Briefing journalists ahead of the summit, NiDCOM chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa said: “This year’s summit – a hybrid event enabling remote participation via online channels – is particularly special, being the first under the new administration of HE President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, and will have as its Special Guest of Honour and main keynote speaker, HE Senator Kashim Shettima GCON, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Also expected in attendance is the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike amongst others.
She explained that the target of this administration is to ensure that Diaspora Investment in the country outweighs FDI in the near future.
Hence, she said this year’s summit aims at attracting Diasporan investment in the areas of agribusiness, technology, education, healthcare, real estate, and infrastructure. Others are creative, sports, and entertainment; energy, mining, and manufacturing.
She further explained that with the current happenings across the globe, Nigeria must rise to take its place as the number one producer of agricultural produce.
She stressed that Nigerian Diaspora in this drive remains a major player in the development of the country, hence the need to harness their investment in the country.
She said the summit is set to ignite new aspirations for Diaspora participation in Nigeria’s development.
“With Heifer International, a nonprofit charity on a mission to end hunger and poverty in a sustainable way as its Lead Sponsor, this year’s summit promises to be a significant milestone in promoting economic collaboration, harnessing opportunities, and fostering a revamped investment climate for Nigeria,” She added.
She also revealed that the Diaspora Housing Mortgage Scheme would be launched by the Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, during the summit.
On participation, NiDCOM boss said: “As at press time, this year’s summit already has registered, over 2,000 interested participants, including at least 72 identified Nigerian Diaspora investors, 196 small business owners, 148 representatives of private sector entities and 88 public officials from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies who are expected to attend in person, with a further 1,250 expected to participate virtually.”
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The Interim Country Director of Heifer International Nigeria, Lekan Tobe said: “NDIS has established itself as the premier platform for connecting Nigerians in the diaspora with opportunities for investment and engagement in the country’s burgeoning industries. NDIS 2023 aims to strengthen the bonds between Nigeria and its diaspora communities while revealing a dynamic view of investment opportunities and prospects in various sectors, particularly Agriculture, which is our focus sector.
“We feel that our goal of assisting more than two million households to achieve sustainable living income by 2030, through strategic private and public sector partnerships that will support the unlocking of the potential in Nigeria’s agricultural sector to achieve food self-sufficiency is fully aligned with that of the summit, as expressed through the NDIS initiative.”
Since its inception, NDIS has recorded many success stories, both in terms of business connections and social impact. With over 5,000 participants recorded, 900 business links were established and over 200 deals closed.