NDD 2026: Stakeholders back role of diaspora in national development

Stakeholders at the 2026 National Diaspora Day (NDD) celebrations in Abuja have reaffirmed their support for the role of Nigerians in the diaspora in advancing national development.

Participants, including representatives of the National Assembly, state governments, international partners and federal agencies, praised the initiative as a timely measure to strengthen Nigeria’s health system, particularly in underserved communities.#

Speaking at the event, Senator Aniekan Bassey, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs, called for deeper collaboration with Nigerian medical professionals abroad to bolster the country’s healthcare provision.

Represented at the event by Senator Anthony Yari, he urged stakeholders to foster sustainable partnerships through research, telemedicine, mentorship, and targeted investment, and commended diaspora medical practitioners for their contributions to Nigeria’s health sector.

Hon. Chinedu Tochukwu Okere, Chairman of the House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, described Nigeria’s medical diaspora as a vital national asset. 

He said their global expertise could strengthen the country’s healthcare system and called for policies that encourage greater diaspora participation. 

Okere also urged diaspora professionals to partner with local institutions, register with professional councils and volunteer their expertise.

From the diplomatic corps, Miriam Morales Palmero, the Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, highlighted the longstanding ties and growing cooperation between Nigeria and Cuba, stressing the need to deepen collaboration in healthcare, education and capacity building to support sustainable development.

Amr Taha, Deputy Chief of Mission at the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Nigeria, described the event as an opportunity to recognise the diaspora’s contributions. 

He noted that migrants represent around 3.5 million of the world’s population and contribute over 10 percent of global GDP, and said this year’s theme reflected the diaspora’s capacity to support development across Nigeria. 

Taha added that IOM Nigeria will continue to support effective migration management and praised Nigeria’s medical diaspora for strengthening healthcare beyond financial remittances.

The EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, congratulated the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) on the Diaspora Health Initiative (DHII). 

While acknowledging challenges such as brain drain, limited medical supplies, funding gaps and inadequate infrastructure, he said these issues present opportunities to harness the expertise of Nigerian medical professionals abroad.

Isabelle Wolfsgruber, Head of Office at the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), observed that engagement extends beyond medicine. She argued that Nigeria is not short of talent, but that the real challenge is designing the right policies and partnerships to convert available expertise into meaningful, sustainable impact. 

Wolfsgruber emphasised stronger collaboration among government institutions, diaspora professionals, private-sector actors and international partners to build a more resilient healthcare system.

Speakers praised Hon. Abike Dabiri‑Erewa, Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, for her efforts to strengthen diaspora engagement over the years.

The event, held with the theme: “Harnessing Global Diaspora Medical Expertise to Strengthen Local Health Systems for National Development,” focused on improving healthcare delivery through diaspora‑led medical expertise, knowledge transfer, mentorship, and strategic partnerships.

𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖/𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖