Abuja, April, 17, 2024 – The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has secured a strategic cooperation and collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID-NIGERIA) for diaspora engagements.
The cooperation is on youth empowerment and socio-economic development of the country.
USAID will also partner NiDCOM on this year’s National Diaspora Day Celebrations.
These agreements were reached during a visit by USAID delegation to NiDCOM office in Abuja.
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM), said that the collaboration was timely and appropriate as it aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration which is intentional about sector reforms and youth empowerment.
Dabiri-Erewa explained that the Commission serves as a vintage link to encourage Nigerians in the Diaspora to impactfully invest at home.
The NiDCOM Chairman said that that although the Federal Government, through the Commission, had set up projects to effectively engage with its Diaspora, there was still the need to establish infrastructure and enabling environment for investments by Nigerians in Diaspora.
Dabiri-Erewa assured that the partnership between NIDCOM and USAID will be pivotal and key to massive Diaspora engagement and investment.
“The Nigerian Diaspora is an important asset to our nation. Through this partnership with USAID Nigeria, we will be able to celebrate their achievements and present opportunities to invest back home,” she said.
Melissa Jones, the Country Director of USAID, said the US Agency was passionate about funding and empowering local partners and NGOs to develop talents and skills for economic progress in Nigeria.
She proposed a planned and structured relation between NiDCOM and USAID for future projects and to discuss opportunities that will be beneficial to the public and private sectors in Nigeria.
Jones noted that the Diaspora is needed for development in Nigeria. According to her, most qualified and competent professionals in the U.S, are Nigerians and she believes it will be an opportunity for Nigeria to relate strategically with its citizens abroad.
The USAID Country Director equally expressed the willingness to support the Commission through partnership at its Diaspora Day and other key events by engaging with US President’s Advisory Council to participate actively at the 2024 National DiasporaDay Celebrations.
There was a consensus for a strategic think-tank between NIDCOM and USAID to flesh up the cooperation and collaboration in future. (GBN)
