- She explained that the Start-Up Challenge, centred on the theme “Building, Breaking and Believing in Nigeria”
- She further announced that the Connected Diaspora Flagship Event will be held on December 19, 2025, in Lagos
- NiDCOM also revealed that the December 19 event will host a Diaspora Talent Career and Internship Fair
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has unveiled a new wave of initiatives aimed at energising global Nigerian talent and strengthening diaspora-driven development through a fresh innovation contest and a major flagship event scheduled for 2025.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the Commission officially launched the Connected Diaspora x DOWA Start-Up Challenge alongside the Connected Diaspora Flagship Event 2025 during a news briefing held in Lagos, marking a renewed push to position Nigerians abroad as powerful contributors to national growth.
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Speaking at the announcement, the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the initiatives as forward-looking platforms created to inspire creativity, ignite enterprise, and deepen the bond between Nigeria and its expansive global community.
She explained that the Start-Up Challenge, centred on the theme “Building, Breaking and Believing in Nigeria”, seeks to empower diaspora innovators while expanding opportunities for knowledge sharing, investment, and entrepreneurial advancement.
The challenge, which offers cash rewards of up to ₦1 million, aims to spotlight groundbreaking ideas from Nigerians abroad and support projects that can make a meaningful contribution to the country’s economic momentum. Dabiri-Erewa added that the programme aligns with the Federal Government’s broader vision of engaging the diaspora as critical development partners.
She further announced that the Connected Diaspora Flagship Event will be held on December 19, 2025, in Lagos. The gathering is expected to welcome industry leaders, government officials, investors, and strategic partners for high-level conversations on innovation, policy, and Nigeria’s long-term competitiveness. Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, is billed to attend as Special Guest of Honour.
NiDCOM noted that several voices from the diaspora and Nigeria’s tech and business sectors will feature in the discussions, offering insight to shape new pathways for national progress.
The Commission also expressed gratitude to its partners, describing their contributions as vital to strengthening diaspora engagement and enhancing economic opportunities for Nigerians globally.
In an interview on Channel Television, Abike Dabiri-Erewa discusses the commission’s efforts to engage the Nigerian diaspora, particularly the younger generations, during the December festive season.
She highlights the “HomeStrings Program,” which is specifically designed for young Nigerians abroad, encouraging them to return home for conversations around national development. The theme for the discussions is “Building, Breaking, and Believing in Nigeria”.
Young Nigerians and diaspora returnees were encouraged to submit entries for the Start-Up Challenge before the December 12 deadline, with public voting scheduled on Instagram from December 13 to 17 and winners to be announced on December 18.
NiDCOM also revealed that the December 19 event will host a Diaspora Talent Career and Internship Fair, designed to connect returnees with internship openings provided by DOWA partners, an initiative expected to support talent mobility and deepen national development efforts.
The programme highlights include the call for applications, public voting, winner selection, and a grand presentation at the JK Randle Centre in Lagos.
Furthermore, NIDCOM is partnering with young Nigerians in the diaspora, including the NGOs Connect Diaspora and Dowa (Doing Good Work in Africa), to look for and invest in local talent. These initiatives are aimed at adding value to the country and include incentives like an investment prize of one million Naira.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE INTERVIEW SESSION
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