Tinubu Makes Passionate Plea to Diaspora Nigerians to Invest in Nigeria's Future

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made a heartfelt appeal to Nigerians living abroad, urging them to invest their wealth, expertise, and global connections in Nigeria's development. This call to action was made during the 2026 Nigeria Diaspora Economic Conference in Toronto, Canada, where his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, delivered a keynote address on his behalf. The conference, themed 'Thrive Abroad, Invest Nigeria', provided a platform for Nigerians in the diaspora to explore opportunities for investment in their home country. President Tinubu emphasized that investments from the diaspora community should be based on 'opportunity, shared strategic interest, and disciplined patriotism' rather than nostalgia, guilt, or charity. He encouraged them to look beyond investing in property and to explore opportunities in sectors such as agro-processing, healthcare, technology, energy, and education. The President also stressed the importance of diaspora investors adopting a professional approach by embracing investment clubs, sector funds, and venture networks, while ensuring due diligence, audited accounts, and proper governance. According to him, remittances, which have been a vital source of support for many Nigerian households, should be seen as the foundation of diaspora engagement, with investment and expertise building upon this foundation to drive economic growth and development. President Tinubu highlighted the progress made by his administration in implementing economic reforms, citing a real GDP growth of 3.89 percent in the first quarter of 2026 and an improvement in foreign reserves to $45.4 billion by the end of 2025. He also acknowledged the projections by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, which forecast economic growth and recognize the efforts to restore macroeconomic stability. However, the President acknowledged that significant challenges remain and emphasized the need for the next phase of reforms to focus on accelerating productivity, job creation, reducing living costs, and ensuring more equitable distribution of economic gains. To facilitate diaspora participation in the Nigerian economy, the government has introduced measures such as the Non-Resident Nigerian Ordinary Account and the Non-Resident Nigerian Investment Account. Beyond financial investments, President Tinubu urged Nigerians abroad to contribute their intellectual capacity and professional expertise to national development, suggesting that they could mentor entrepreneurs, establish research partnerships, and support hospitals. He also appealed for constructive engagement between the government and the diaspora community, emphasizing the importance of factual criticism aimed at correction rather than falsehoods that could inflame tensions. As Nigeria approaches another electoral season, the President cautioned against supporting activities that could destabilize the country, urging citizens to prioritize national interest above partisan considerations. The President concluded by challenging participants at the conference to measure the success of the event by the concrete outcomes achieved, such as new enterprises funded, institutions strengthened, and young Nigerians mentored. He invoked the philosophy of Bob Marley, emphasizing the need for Nigerians in the diaspora to thrive abroad while investing in Nigeria, speaking the truth about the country, correcting its flaws with love, and building it with confidence.