- NiDCOM Partners FirstBank to Launch Diaspora Housing, Banking Platform
- Dabiri-Erewa stressed the need to harness the skills and contributions diasporan’s for national development
- The launched platform seeks to address major concerns of the diaspora community
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has partnered with FirstBank to enhance banking and housing services for Nigerians living abroad.
Eko Hot Blog reports that on Friday, the commission unveiled the Diaspora Home and Abroad platform.
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The initiative was introduced during the sixth edition of National Diaspora Day (NDD), themed Optimising Formidable Diaspora Potential for National Development and Growth.
According to NiDCOM, the platform is designed to offer safe, accessible, and trustworthy housing options to Nigerians in the diaspora.
Speaking to journalists at the launch held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the commission’s Chairman, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, stressed the need to harness the skills and contributions of Nigerians abroad for national development.
She noted that many Nigerians overseas are eager to invest in the country and possess expertise that can drive growth.
The newly launched platform, developed in partnership with FirstBank, seeks to address major concerns of the diaspora community especially in making secure housing investments.
“This initiative is designed to prevent fraud when purchasing property, thereby providing peace of mind for those seeking to invest in Nigeria.”
The Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank Group, Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu, represented by the Head of Brand Strategy and Financial Planning, Ms. Abimbola Meshino,ye, said, “The theme speaks not only to possibility, but to urgency.
With over 17 million Nigerians in the diaspora, our nation is gifted with a formidable community of professionals, entrepreneurs, scholars, investors, and innovators who continue to distinguish themselves in diverse sectors across the globe; from science to technology, from finance to the creative industries, and from medicine to policy and diplomacy.”
He said, “The Nigerian diaspora has become an essential force in our national development journey, contributing over $20 billion in annual remittances and playing a pivotal role in enhancing our international reputation and deepening socio-economic ties with other nations.
But beyond remittances, the diaspora represents a wellspring of knowledge, values, investment, and goodwill that, if optimally harnessed, can fast-track our path to inclusive growth and global competitiveness.” Nigerian cuisine recipes.
He noted that for the diaspora to meaningfully contribute to nation-building, it is essential to have credible institutions, reliable infrastructure, inclusive financial systems, and a sustainable environment built on trust and opportunity, saying that “this is why FirstBank continues to invest in platforms that empower Nigerians globally, including support for diaspora bonds, knowledge transfer initiatives, youth mentorship schemes, and capital inflows targeted at critical sectors like infrastructure, energy, health, agriculture, and education.”
Also speaking, the Head of Technology, Transfer, Innovation, and Investment at NiDCOM, Hon. Abdulrahman Terab, stated that one of the major challenges facing Nigerians in the diaspora has been the absence of dependable platforms for accessing housing opportunities.
He explained that “many individuals have faced difficulties after sending money for housing, only to encounter scams, resulting in a loss of resources.”
Recognising the diaspora’s economic significance, he stressed the need to create an attractive environment for investments in the housing sector, which many in the diaspora view as a viable connection to their homeland and a future retirement plan. Nigerian cuisine recipes
According to him, the initiative is aimed at making it easier for Nigerians living abroad to purchase homes while also building trust in Nigeria’s financial and transaction systems.
“With a diaspora population of around 70 million, the potential for direct investment is substantial.”
Terab compared Nigeria’s appeal to that of other countries, noting that “while Senegal and Ghana have attracted some diaspora members, Nigeria is fundamentally the preferred destination for many African diasporas.
Ultimately, this initiative aims to establish a secure and streamlined process for diaspora members, encouraging them to invest back into their home country.”
