The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), through its Home strings Programme, held the second edition of Connected Diaspora Innovation Challenge with a call by participants on Nigerians in the Diaspora to tap into the enormous opportunities at home.
The Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, who was the Special Guest of Honour said innovation , youth empowerment, and diaspora collaboration is a necessary tool for national development.
Drawing from his personal experience, he highlighted the realities of racial challenges faced by Nigerians abroad and explained his decision to return home to contribute meaningfully to national development.
He commended the initiative and urged youths to believe in themselves as well as those in the position of authority.
Also speaking, the keynote speaker, Mr Leo Stan Eke, Chairman of Zinox Group, urged young Nigerians to believe in the country and invest in impactful, homegrown solutions that address local challenges while competing globally.
In her remarks, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Commission stressed the importance of skills transfer, collaboration, and collective responsibility in nation-building.
Welcoming participants to the programme in Lagos, she encouraged Nigerians in the Diaspora to bring their expertise, innovation, and global exposure back home, noting that Nigeria remains open to partnerships across all sectors, particularly technology and entrepreneurship.
According to her, “No matter where you are in the tech world, we can partner. We can build our country together and believing in Nigeria. Nation-building is not the responsibility of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu alone; it requires collective effort from Nigerians at home and in the diaspora.”
Goodwill messages were delivered by the representatives of the Bank of Industry and First Bank ,Tomi Aregbesola, President of the Organisation for the Advancement of Nigerians (OAN), Mobolaji Ogunlende, Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Jermaine Sanwoolu , Head of the Lagos State Diaspora office and the President of Nigerian Students in the Philippines, youth leaders and key diaspora stakeholders.
Aisosa , a Nigerian visiting for the first time in 20 years , also shared his emotional story with the audience.
The second edition of the event, themed “Building, Breaking & Believing in Nigeria,” was moderated by Nosa Okunsebor, Co-Founder of Connected Diaspora.
The panelists included
Adesuwa Okunbo-Rhodes (Aruwa Capital Management), Preston Ideh (Stears), Subuola Adeleye (Beauty Hut Africa), Chime Nwoka (Breeze), and Siji Abere (Connected Diaspora) explored entrepreneurship, innovation, and building sustainable businesses in Nigeria.
A major highlight of the event was the presentation of the ₦1 million first-place prize of the DOWA Start-Up Challenge to Team VeriProp.
Also at the event Kamil Olufowobi, founder, Most Influential Persons of African Decade ( Mipad) presented Hon. Abike Dabiri Erewa with the Mipad’s Diaspora champion award.
The event reaffirmed NiDCOM’s commitment, under the leadership of Hon. Abike Dabiri Erewa, to strengthen diaspora engagement, empower the youth, and drive inclusive national development through innovation.
It convened government officials, diaspora leaders, entrepreneurs, youth leaders, and young Nigerians from across the globe to showcase diaspora-driven solutions and youth-led innovations contributing to Nigeria’s development.