Enugu state Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah has called on Nigerians in diaspora especially those from the South East zone to always think home and invest in the Zone
He made the call on Wednesday in his address at the opening of a Sensitization and Advocacy workshop for promoting diaspora investment potentials in South East ,Nigeria, organized by Nigerians in Diaspora Commission( NIDCOM) in collaboration with Urban Project Prospects Integrated Services Limited( UPPSI) at the Old Government Lodge, Enugu.
Speaking on the Theme of the workshop , “Diasporans, invest in South East Nigeria for a great future” tagged,”Aku ruo ulo”, Governor Mbah said the Nigerians diaspora had always been a remarkable force in the nation’s development.
” In addition to their substantial financial
contributions through remittances, our brothers and sisters abroad bring invaluable expertise, innovation, and networks that can spur tansformative growth. Given our nation’s size and diversity, it is intuitive that we would have a dynamic and multifaceted diasporan
representation, one that can be harnessed for mutual economic and social benefits, “, he said.
Pix: The participants
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government ,Prof Chidiebere Onyia, Governor Mbah noted that ,”With an estimated $20 – $25bn sent home annually by Nigerians abroad as estimated by the World Bank, and active participation of
this group, the Nigerian Diasporan community cannot be ignored. As such, effectively harnessing the support and influence of our diasporan community is crucial for enhancing investment and trade, and securing robust representation in host countries to promote global interconnectedness.”
According to him, the sensitization and advocacy workshop, organized by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and hosted by Enugu state, represents an important milestone in enhancing diaspora engagement.
Pix: Representative of the Governor, Prof Chidi Onyia.
“Today, we come together to explore the untapped potentials of diaspora participation in Southeast Nigeria. This
program marks a pivotal step in unlocking vast opportunities for economic growth and development in our region towards a prosperous future.
“The Southeast is renowned for its entrepreneurial drive, industrious spirit, a rich history of migration, and a commitment to community development of Ala Igbo. The significant populations of Ndi Igbo in the diaspora present tremendous opportunities for fostering mutual growth and development across the five states of the Southeast. “, Governor Mbah said.
Pix: SSG,Prof Onyia
He urged Ndi Igbo in diaspora to look back home and invest not only financially but also socially, to drive the sustainable development of the region.
Governor Mbah noted that his administration recognized the diaspora as key stakeholders in it’s development agenda and focus to move the GDP of the state from $4.4bn to $30bn.
“The contributions of the diasporan complement our government’s vision of fostering inclusive economic growth and improving the quality of life for our people.”, Mbah said.
He recalled that his administration announced the launch of the Enugu State Diaspora Engagement and Investment Unit at the September 2023 Economic Growth and Investment roundtable, saying,
“This Unit was tasked with supporting our Ministry for Trade and Industrialization with preparing and curating to financial closure a $2.1 Billion pipeline of critical investment projects anchored in the State’s Integrated Sector-based Productivity Agenda, and paving the way for the Diaspora community including Ndi-Enugu who live outside the State’s borders but in Nigeria, Nigerians and other Africans who live abroad and people of African descent around the world to participate in the development, financing, and implementation of critical projects in the State.
He said that Enugu State Government ‘s partnership with the diaspora must be well-structured and deeply integrated. He assured his administration”s commitment to identifying and nurturing sectors with high investment potential, including agriculture, tourism, technology, real estate, and energy, noting that the sectors not only offer profitable opportunities but also align with the developmental priorities of Enugu state.
” We are confident that our ongoing efforts in tax and revenue harmonisation, business environment reforms, and land reforms will ensure that Enugu remains an attractive destination for investment.
He further stated that the state government will establish mechanisms to formalize these partnerships with focus on the securitization of remittances, diaspora
bonds, trade and investment promotion, investment facilitation, institutional development, and the flow of talent and ideas.
These efforts according to him, ,” will ensure that the diaspora plays a central role in the sustained growth and transformation of Enugu State’.
He highlighted some of the investments done in partnership with diaspora investors in Enugu state to include , the $300 million partnership with diaspora Nigerians to establish the Africa Medical City, where the State is contributing a 10% equity stake through the provision of 100 hectares of land; partnership with the Wande Nexus Group, for water project ; the N3 billion investment in the DNA Learning center among others..
Pix: Abike Dabiri -Erewa
The Governor also mentioned some
initiatives available for diasporan community to leverage on to include the New Enugu City, the newly established Enugu State Electricity Market, the Special AgroProcessing Zones, the newly completed ICT Center, and Enugu Transport Terminal, among others.
“While the opportunities are vast, unlocking the full potential of diaspora investments requires strong collaboration. It is a shared responsibility between the government, the private sector, and the
diaspora community to foster trust, ensure transparency, and create robust mechanisms that streamline and facilitate seamless investment processes,”Governor Mbah said.
He commended NiDCOM, for its efforts in engaging Nigerians in the diaspora, noting that fostering meaningful participation in policies, projects, and initiatives, were instrumental to the socio-economic development of the nation.
In her welcome address, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Diaspora Matters; Barr. Mrs. Olangwa Ezekwu stressed the need for diasporas to invest at home.
Pix: Special Adviser to the Governor on Diaspora Matters; Mrs. Olangwa Ezekwu
She recalled that in 2024, , the Central bank of Nigeria revealed that Diaspora remittances processed through International monies transfers reached $4.22bn between January and October 2024.
The Special Adviser added that in December , 2024, for the yuletide celebration , the remittances exceeded Sixty (60) billion naira inflow.
“In the last five years, remittances have exceeded $90 billion as revealed by my Chairman in Diaspora; Honorable Abike Dabiri- Erewa in her 2025 budget defense presentation.This is the Capacity of Nigerians living in the Diaspora,” she said.
Ezekwu noted that the people of the South East have a great role to play in channeling their resources home especially as many look forward to returning home yearly.
“Our Governor , Dr Peter Mbah has made Enugu State a very Investor -Friendly State. Enugu State is determined to move its GDP from $4.4billion to $30 billion,
“The Diaspora will play a very key role which his Excellency recognizes and is determined by our ease of doing business module, business friendly environment and development of our Infrastructure. We are open and ready for Investment opportunities and have identified various sectors in Health,
Pix: Abike Dabiri -Erewa in handshake with the SSG,Prof Chidiebere Onyia
“We can see the Transformation in Enugu with our completed Projects: ICT Center with a seating capacity of 5000, Smart schools, The Type 2 hospitals, The new Enugu City, The Newly completed Bus Terminal in Nsukka and Holy Ghost, establishment of Enugu State Control and Command Center, International market Owo, Naira Triangle Amusement park, Major Road Construction and re surfacing, Ezeokwe said .
Pix: Hon Nnaji, SPA Energy
She urged Igbo people in diaspora to invest more at home and use the wide network of contacts and resources to boost the socio-economic development in Enugu State.
Earlier in her opening remarks, the Chairman, NIDCOM , Honorable Abike Dabiri- Erewa, urged Nigerians in Diaspora to come home and invest. She said the workshop will be replicated in other zones of the country.
Dabiri-Erewa urged State governments to establish desk offices for Diasporan matters in their states and step it down to local governments.
The workshop was attended by Diasporan matters representatives from the South East states, members of the Enugu State Executive council , members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Local Government chairmen, people in diaspora, , business Community among others.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama