The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, has launched a new initiative designed to empower Nigerians living abroad with safe and credible access to property investment opportunities back home.
Known as the Diaspora Home and Abroad Housing Platform, the scheme aims to eliminate the longstanding risks and fraud many diaspora members face when trying to acquire real estate in Nigeria.
The announcement was made on Monday by NiDCOM Chairman Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa at a press conference in Abuja ahead of the 2025 National Diaspora Day celebrations scheduled for July 25–26.
She emphasized that the platform will serve as a trusted mechanism to connect Nigerians abroad with legitimate developers and real estate opportunities in the country.
“This is a long-overdue intervention. Diasporas will no longer be duped as long as they use this platform,” Dabiri-Erewa said. “It is about building a Nigeria where our diaspora community is structurally included in development, not just celebrated.”
Themed “Optimising Formidable Diaspora Potentials for National Development and Growth,” this year’s celebration reflects the commission’s strategic shift from symbolic engagement to practical integration of diaspora contributions.
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According to the chairman, the Nigerian diaspora sent more than $20 billion in remittances in 2024—more than all foreign direct investment received during the same period.
“But beyond the remittances lies a far greater resource—skills, networks, and goodwill. These, if effectively tapped, can drive real development across Nigeria,” she added.
Dr. Dabiri-Erewa also highlighted NiDCOM’s broader strategy for embedding diaspora voices in national planning.
Key among these efforts are the deployment of State Diaspora Focal Point Officers, implementation of the National Diaspora Policy, and hosting of the annual Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit.
The new housing platform will serve as a central part of this strategic vision by providing a safe avenue for Nigerians abroad to invest in property without fear of scams or misrepresentation.
The initiative is expected to foster trust and participation from the diaspora in long-term national development.
The chairman urged government agencies, private sector players, and the global Nigerian diaspora to fully support and participate in the upcoming celebrations, which will feature both virtual and in-person activities to accommodate diaspora participants from around the world.
“This is not just about banners or speeches,” she concluded. “Let this year be remembered for the tangible impact we create—for the bridges we build and the futures we unlock.”
NiDCOM also extended appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support of diaspora initiatives, crediting him and various partners for helping advance the commission’s objectives globally.
Punch Newspaper
