NIDEC 2026: FG Moves to Unlock Diaspora Capital for Economic Growth

The Federal Government is seeking to attract fresh investment, create jobs and increase foreign exchange inflows as the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Economic Conference (NIDEC) 2026 gets underway in Toronto, Canada.

The four-day conference, which opens on Tuesday, is being positioned by the government as an investment-focused engagement aimed at connecting Nigerian projects with diaspora capital and strengthening economic ties between Nigeria and Canada.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, said the government was determined to ensure that the conference produced measurable economic outcomes rather than becoming another diplomatic gathering.

Enikanolaiye spoke on Monday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, before departing for Toronto with the Federal Government delegation.

He said NIDEC 2026 was consistent with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s revised 4Ds Foreign Policy Agenda, which focuses on Demography, Development, Democracy and Diaspora.

According to the minister, the administration expects international engagements to translate into concrete opportunities for Nigerians.

“This administration does not travel for jamborees. We travel for results. Mr President has mandated a high-powered delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, because NIDEC 2026 is a deal room for Nigeria’s growth,” Enikanolaiye said.

The conference is expected to bring Nigerian officials into direct engagement with Canadian authorities and investors, with discussions focusing on trade, investment, market access and partnerships.

Enikanolaiye said the presence of senior Canadian officials, including President of the Treasury Board, Shafqat Ali, and ministers from Ontario, would provide an opportunity to deepen bilateral economic relations.

He said the Nigerian delegation would seek new agreements and partnerships involving small and medium-sized enterprises while promoting Nigerian products in the Canadian market.

The government is also expected to showcase incentives designed to attract diaspora capital, expand exports and encourage the conversion of remittances into productive investments.

The participation of key economic agencies, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission, Nigerian Export Promotion Council and Nigeria Revenue Service, is expected to strengthen the investment discussions and address regulatory and trade concerns that may affect prospective investors.

Five state governors from Anambra, Borno, Kaduna, Plateau and Zamfara are also expected at the conference.

Their participation, according to Enikanolaiye, will enable the states to directly present investment opportunities in areas such as infrastructure, agriculture, technology and mining to potential investors.

He said the involvement of the governors would help spread investment opportunities beyond the Federal Capital Territory and draw international attention to viable projects across the states.

Technology and skills development are also expected to feature prominently at the event, with the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, Kashifu Inuwa, billed to lead discussions on digital innovation, fintech and information technology capacity building.

Enikanolaiye said the government was particularly interested in connecting investment-ready projects with high-net-worth Nigerians in the diaspora while addressing some of the challenges that discourage them from investing in Nigeria.

He said a more structured engagement with Nigerians abroad would also help strengthen confidence and deepen their participation in the country’s economic development.

The minister noted that Nigeria received more than $20 billion in diaspora remittances last year, but said the government wanted a greater proportion of those inflows channelled into productive ventures that could generate employment and expand economic activity.

“We are going to Toronto to close deals,” Enikanolaiye said, describing the conference as “economic diplomacy in action.”

NIDEC 2026, themed *“Invest Nigeria, Thrive Abroad,”* is scheduled to hold from August 12 to 15 in Toronto.

The conference is being organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), in collaboration with the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa and the Canadian High Commission in Abuja.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the event would provide a platform for matching global capital with bankable Nigerian projects while strengthening economic and commercial relations between Nigeria and Canada.