President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has delivered a powerful message to Nigerians living abroad: your skills, expertise, and resources are not just welcome—they are essential. Speaking at TICAD9 in Yokohama, Japan, in August 2025, Tinubu urged the Nigerian Diaspora to step forward as active nation builders, declaring that ‘Nigeria is on the rise again’ and needs the hands of her citizens, both at home and across the globe, to sustain progress.
This is more than a speech—it’s a call to action. For millions of Nigerians abroad, from doctors and engineers to entrepreneurs and creatives, the moment has come to channel knowledge, networks, and capital into projects that will define the country’s future.
Why this call is resonating in 2025
Tinubu’s message lands at a moment when Abuja is trying to convert goodwill and expertise in the global Nigerian community into structured, scalable impact. It isn’t just rhetoric. The Presidency has repeatedly framed the diaspora as a strategic partner in nation-building, not merely a consular constituency. Two key trends make this especially timely: a large skilled diaspora with proven impact, and rising remittances plus new diaspora investment vehicles.
The policy backdrop: from goodwill to frameworks
Since 2017, Nigeria has gradually built a formal architecture for diaspora engagement, anchored by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and a National Diaspora Policy. The policy frames remittances, skills transfer, and investment as levers for development. Tinubu’s call continues this direction but emphasizes execution and accountability.
What ‘contribute your skills and resources’ looks like in practice
Presidential calls can feel abstract. In reality, diaspora Nigerians can impact healthcare (short-term specialist missions), agriculture (value chain improvements), technology (remote software hubs), research (joint PhD supervision), and finance (pooled diaspora investment funds). These examples show that action is practical and impactful.
The money question: remittances, bonds, and safer corridors
The Central Bank has targeted $1 billion per month in remittances and is considering diaspora bonds to create structured pathways for investment. For individuals, the key is to use transparent and regulated channels, diversify investments, and align with Nigeria’s policy cycles.
How to choose a high-impact entry point
Start with your comparative advantage. Ask yourself: What can I do in 100 focused hours that would permanently improve a Nigerian institution or company? Choose credible partners, design for sustainability, and document everything so others can replicate the model.
Sector playbooks
Examples include clean energy (diaspora-financed solar microgrids for clinics), logistics (importing workflow expertise for ports and dry ports), creative industries (diaspora mentorship for Nollywood post-production), and public sector service reforms (digital-first models adapted from abroad).
But what about the risks?
It’s realistic to acknowledge concerns: FX volatility, bureaucratic bottlenecks, governance issues. These risks can be managed through diversification, careful partner selection, and starting small before scaling. Professionalism and transparency remain the diaspora’s best safeguards.
How government can make the invitation stick
The government must streamline diaspora BVN processes, publish clear bond issuance calendars, create fast-lane approval processes for diaspora projects, and publish transparent dashboards of outcomes. These steps will convert rhetoric into tangible trust.
The mindset shift: from giving back to building forward
Tinubu’s call reframes the diaspora role from charity to co-creation. Contributions should be seen as building forward with Nigerians at home—projects must be professional, sustainable, and designed to scale.
The bottom line
From Yokohama to Lagos, the message is consistent: Nigeria needs its diaspora—your ingenuity, your networks, your capital, your example. The government is signaling openness, but only concrete diaspora action will transform rhetoric into renewal.
Sources & Further Reading
https://guardian.ng/news/tinubu-woos-nigerians-in-japan-urges-contribution-to-nation-building/
https://punchng.com/your-contributions-needed-at-home-tinubu-tells-nigerians-abroad/
President Tinubu Tells Nigerians Abroad, ‘Nigeria Is Rising Again, Your Contribution Is Needed’
https://www.arise.tv/tinubu-urges-nigerians-in-diaspora-to-return-home-says-nigeria-is-on-the-rise-again/
TINUBU COMMENDS NIGERIANS IN DIASPORA, REITERATES COMMITMENT TO DEEPENING DIASPORA ENGAGEMENT
We Have Made Undeniable Progress: President Tinubu Speech on 2nd Anniversary of His Administration
https://www.reuters.com/markets/rates-bonds/nigeria-mulls-us-diaspora-bond-targeting-1-blnmonth-remittances-cardoso-2024-10-25/
