Nigeria to host maiden diaspora economic conference in Canada

The Federal Government of Nigeria is set to hold a diaspora economic conference to drive investment into the country’s economy. The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabri-|Erewa, disclosed this while addressing a world press conference in Abuja on Wednesday. “Today, I am proud to announce the Nigeria Diaspora […]

The Federal Government of Nigeria is set to hold a diaspora economic conference to drive investment into the country’s economy.

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabri-|Erewa, disclosed this while addressing a world press conference in Abuja on Wednesday.

“Today, I am proud to announce the Nigeria Diaspora Economic Conference (NIDEC) 2026, which will take place in the vibrant city of Toronto (Mississauga), Canada, from August 13th to 15th, 2026, at the Apollo Convention Centre,” she said.

The NiDCOM CEO said the country was transiting from “remittances for consumption” into “remittances for investment.”

“For years, the Nigerian Diaspora has been more than just a community abroad; they have been a financial and intellectual lifeline, contributing over $20 billion annually in remittances to our national economy. However, our mission at NiDCOM has always been to move beyond ‘remittances for consumption’ and transition into ‘remittances for investment’”, she said.

Dabri-Erewa explained that NIDEC 2026 will focus on high-impact sectors that are the engines of Nigeria’s future growth, which include Fintech, ICT, & Digital Innovation; Food, Agriculture & Agro-Processing; Mining, Renewable Energy & Infrastructure; Real Estate & Public Infrastructure; Banking, Capital Market & Asset Management; and Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals.

“Our objective is simply to facilitate direct partnerships, B2B matchmaking, and the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) that translate into jobs, technology transfer, and sustainable development by our diaspora to Nigeria,” she said.

According to her, NiDCOM is collaborating with the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa and the Canadian High Commission in Abuja to ensure a seamless experience for all participants.

She called on Nigerian entrepreneurs, state governments with bankable projects, financial institutions, and Nigerian diaspora professionals to prepare for this summit, adding that it is “your platform to shape policy, secure capital, and play a direct role in the Renewed Hope agenda of the Federal Government”.