The President of the African Diaspora Union (AFRIDU), Archbishop Prof. Chidiebere Ogbu, has announced that Nigeria will host the inaugural African Descendants Diaspora Homecoming and Global African Economic Investment Summit.
He made this announcement at a World Press Conference held in Abuja, where he highlighted the significant economic impact of the event.
The summit, he said, is expected to attract investments worth around $30 trillion and create up to five million jobs, particularly in sectors such as ethical mining, agribusiness, oil and gas, real estate, and trade— all aimed at driving development across Africa.
Prof. Ogbu emphasized that the summit not only seeks to encourage investment from African descendants but also to promote reparative justice, creating a mutually beneficial situation for Africa and the diaspora.
He pointed out that Abuja, Nigeria, was chosen as the venue due to the country’s pivotal historical role as a center of the Transatlantic slave trade.
He described the event as a “massive homecoming” for all black people in the diaspora, offering an opportunity for them to return to their roots and invest in their motherland. The summit will take place from October 18 to 27, 2024, with various activities including traditional title conferment ceremonies in Owerri, Imo State, on October 18 and 19; the official opening ceremony by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on October 21; the Global African Investment Summit at Eagle Square on October 23 and 24; and the Badagry Door of Return Festival in Lagos on October 26 and 27.
In his remarks, Prof. Ogbu also acknowledged the union’s close collaboration with NiDCOM, particularly in facilitating the launch of the “Twelve African Apostles” book and posthumous awards for the families of former African liberators, a project approved by President Tinubu through Chief of Staff Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila on April 23, 2024.
Prof. Ogbu urged the government to consider granting citizenship waivers to African descendants who identify as Nigerians through DNA technology, as part of a broader effort to strengthen ties with the diaspora. He expressed optimism that the summit would not only boost investment but also foster collaboration between African governments, businesses, and diaspora communities, offering innovative solutions to address the continent’s challenges and support sustainable growth.
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, represented by Dr. Sule Yakubu Bassi, Secretary of the Commission, confirmed the commission’s full support for the summit.
Dr. Bassi noted the timeliness of the event in uniting Africans in the diaspora to harness human, material, and economic resources for Africa’s progress.
He called on both public and private organizations to engage with the summit as a platform for dialogue, partnership, and knowledge exchange.
The summit is expected to attract high-level officials, business leaders, and members of the African diaspora. Prof. Ogbu also praised the media for its role in promoting the diaspora movement, urging them to provide extensive coverage of the upcoming event.
Founded in South Africa in 2018 and registered in several other countries, including the United States, the Caribbean, and Nigeria, AFRIDU is a civil society organization dedicated to Pan-Africanism.
Its mission is to empower African people through the promotion of African cultural heritage, human rights, sustainable development, and environmental protection.
