Dabiri-Erewa urges young Nigerians to dream big

The Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has encouraged young Nigerians to believe in themselves, pursue their dreams with confidence, and recognise that nothing is impossible with determination and resilience.

The Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM said this at a Youth Empowerment Summit, which is part of the 2026 National Diaspora Day.

Dabiri-Erewa noted that the event was designed to inspire and equip young people with the knowledge and motivation needed to become better leaders and responsible citizens.

She urged participants to take full advantage of the experiences and insights shared by the resource persons and panelists, stressing the importance of learning how to overcome challenges, develop leadership skills, and remain proud of their identity.

The NiDCOM Chairman recalled that some of the participants had attended similar capacity-building programmes in the past and had returned to share their success stories, demonstrating the positive impact of mentorship and empowerment initiatives.

As part of the programme, Dabiri-Erewa introduced two Nigerian returnees from South Africa who shared their personal experiences of resilience despite facing significant challenges abroad.

One of the returnees, a Chemical Engineering student, narrated how he combined his studies with running a successful tutoring business for more than 30 students weekly before circumstances forced him to return to Nigeria. 

He expressed his desire to continue his education while pursuing opportunities in the power and petroleum sector, adding that although he missed the friendships he built in South Africa, he did not miss the discrimination and bureaucratic challenges he experienced there.

Another returnee, Maria Adeyemi, recounted the hardships she and her family endured in South Africa, including documentation challenges, financial loss, and prolonged separation from her husband. 

She expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government for facilitating their safe return to Nigeria through NiDCOM’s intervention.

Adeyemi also revealed her aspiration to establish a restaurant in Nigeria, promising to showcase her culinary skills and contribute meaningfully to the country’s hospitality industry.

Responding to their testimonies, Dabiri-Erewa assured the returnees that NiDCOM would continue to engage relevant stakeholders to support their aspirations and reintegration into society.

She reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to promoting youth development, supporting Nigerians in the diaspora and returnees, and creating opportunities that enable young Nigerians to realise their full potential.

Speaking in the same vein, the Group Managing Director of ARCO Group Plc, Engr. Alfred Okoigun, called on Nigerian youths to embrace innovation, integrity, and lifelong learning as essential tools for driving national development and transforming the country’s healthcare sector.

Delivering a goodwill message, Okoigun commended NiDCOM under the leadership of Dabiri-Erewa, for creating a platform that connects young Nigerians with distinguished professionals and members of the diaspora to inspire collaboration and nation-building.

He also applauded the Federal Government for supporting initiatives that empower young Nigerians and leverage the expertise of the diaspora for sustainable national development.

𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖/𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖