The Nigerian Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, has emphasized the need to collaborate with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) to attract and facilitate investment from Nigerians living abroad.
This call, reported by NIDCOM spokesperson Abdur Rahman Balogun, highlights the government’s growing recognition of the diaspora’s potential as a key driver of economic growth.
During a courtesy call from NIDCOM Chairman/CEO Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Dr. Uzoka-Anite announced the creation of a dedicated “Catalytic Investment Unit” within her ministry to specifically handle diaspora-related matters. This move signifies the government’s commitment to streamlining and expediting the investment process for returning Nigerians.
She also commended NIDCOM for partnering with the private sector-led Nigerian Diaspora Summit initiative (NDSI) to organise the Nigerian Diaspora Investment summit, which has provided a platform for Nigerians who want to invest.
She said the Ministry would synergise with NIDCOM and NDSI to make the summit even stronger, in-line with the Ministry’s investment initiatives and policies.
The Minister said “I have been charged by Mr President to look for inward investment into the country. NIDCOM has saved me from starting from scratch. We will build on your platform and work together”.
Mrs Uzoka-Anite described the Diaspora as a great potential for investment who are passionate about their country and willing to invest without too many conditions or demands.
The Minister added that the ministry can support Diaspora Investment by designing and creating different investment channels, negotiating long term investment opportunities, proposing removal of taxes on dividends and providing extra security arrangements on Diaspora investment and even work together to push bills to be sponsored by the National Assembly.
Earlier, Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, had called for more synergy between the Commission and the Ministry to enhance Diaspora Direct Investment.
The NIDCOM boss used the opportunity to brief the Minister on the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS) which had been hosted in Abuja six times.
“We have some requests which include creating incentives for the Diaspora coming back home to invest, partnering to implement the Diaspora Investment Trust Fund and establishing a Diaspora Desk in the Ministry” Dabiri-Erewa said.
