Nigeria targets Diaspora investment confidence as financial institutions unveil new opportunities at 2026 summit

By Onu Okorie

Nigeria is seeking to turn the financial strength of its global diaspora community into a major driver of economic growth, with financial institutions and government agencies stepping up efforts to address the trust deficit that has discouraged many Nigerians abroad from investing at home.
At the heart of this renewed push is the 9th Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS 2026), where stakeholders are exploring practical ways to protect investors, improve transparency and connect Nigerians overseas with verifiable investment opportunities across key sectors of the economy.
The two-day summit, which opened on Tuesday, November 10, is organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) in partnership with the Nigeria Diaspora Summit Initiative (NDSI), under the theme, “Bridging the Trust Gap: Connecting Diaspora Capital with Credible Home-Based Opportunities.”
Rather than focusing solely on the volume of money Nigerians abroad send home, discussions at this year’s summit are centred on how to convert diaspora wealth, professional expertise and international connections into sustainable investments that can support national development.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Hon. (Dr.) Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said Nigeria could not fully harness the economic potential of its diaspora without addressing the transparency and credibility concerns surrounding investment opportunities.
She identified fraudulent investment schemes, unverifiable projects, informal financial arrangements and inadequate disclosure as some of the major factors weakening investors’ confidence.
According to her, diaspora engagement must evolve beyond remittances to include investments, entrepreneurship, intellectual capital and the transfer of professional expertise.
She maintained that effectively mobilising these resources would be critical to Nigeria’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy.
Dabiri-Erewa explained that the summit was structured to give prospective investors direct access to financial institutions, capital market operators and relevant government agencies, allowing them to obtain credible information before making investment decisions.
The importance of institutional accountability also featured prominently in the remarks of the Secretary to NiDCOM, Dr. Yakubu Basil, who called for a stronger narrative around the contributions and successes of Nigerians living abroad.
Basil, who has participated in all nine editions of the summit, said diaspora contributions extended beyond cash transfers to include intellectual property, goods and services, specialised skills and international business networks.
He identified financial resources, talents, skills, global exposure and international connections as five major assets Nigerians abroad bring to the country’s development.
Drawing from more than three decades of engagement with the diaspora community, he observed that several Nigerians abroad had built substantial wealth through investments in Nigeria, although negative experiences often received more attention than successful ventures.
He urged the media to report more positive investment experiences, arguing that credible success stories could encourage others to consider opportunities in the country.
Basil also disclosed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operates a structured desk for addressing breaches of trust involving diaspora investments, noting that the agency had previously intervened in cases and recovered lost investments.
He, however, cautioned prospective investors against assuming that every investment was risk-free, urging them to undertake proper assessments and understand the potential risks before committing funds.
Beyond discussions on investor confidence, participating financial institutions used the summit to demonstrate how structured financial products could make investment in Nigeria more accessible to citizens living overseas.
One of the major highlights was the presentation by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), whose Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Shehu Usman Osidi, showcased the National Housing Fund (NHF) Diaspora Mortgage Product as an opportunity for Nigerians abroad to participate in the country’s housing sector.
Launched in London on August 7, 2026, the product has attracted contributions from Nigerians in 31 countries across six continents.
Under the scheme, eligible Nigerians between 18 and 70 years can contribute $100, $200 or $300 monthly under the Basic, Classic and Premium categories, respectively.
Contributors become eligible to apply for mortgage loans after 24, 18 and 12 months, depending on their chosen contribution category.
The scheme provides access to mortgage financing of up to ₦100 million, subject to eligibility and affordability assessments, with a 10 per cent equity contribution and repayment tenure of up to 10 years.
Osidi said the bank was collaborating with relevant institutions, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and recommended International Money Transfer Operators, to strengthen the operational framework and ensure secure handling of contributions.
He acknowledged that concerns about property ownership documents, construction standards, project completion and developer credibility remained significant issues for diaspora investors, stressing the need for stronger safeguards across the housing value chain.
Similarly, AG Mortgage Bank highlighted its structured mortgage financing options as an alternative to outright property purchases.
Represented by its Team Lead, Business Development, Shola Brainoh, the bank said its legal team verifies property titles and ownership claims, while valuation processes help protect customers against inflated property prices.
Brainoh explained that the bank works with vetted developers and maintains a list of properties considered suitable for mortgage financing.
She added that diaspora customers could gradually build equity through savings and deposits before accessing mortgage facilities, rather than having to pay the full purchase price upfront.
The bank also highlighted its seven-year repayment arrangement for diaspora mortgage loans, while noting that eligible National Housing Fund mortgage facilities attract an interest rate of six per cent annually.
In the banking sector, FirstBank reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening diaspora participation in Nigeria’s economy.
Its Head of Diaspora Investment, Abimbola Meshinoye, said the bank was supporting the summit for the third consecutive year, describing Nigerians abroad as important partners in the country’s economic development.
She noted that their contributions through remittances, business partnerships, philanthropy, mentorship and knowledge transfer needed to be converted into more sustainable long-term investments.
Meshinoye described trust as essential economic infrastructure, adding that FirstBank’s diaspora banking services were designed to provide secure and convenient channels for Nigerians overseas to save, transact and invest in the country.
Coronation Group also presented its integrated financial services as an avenue for connecting diaspora investors with opportunities in Nigeria’s financial markets.
Represented by the Chief Executive Officer of Coronation Wealth, the group highlighted the combined offerings of Coronation Asset Management, Coronation Securities, Coronation Wealth, Coronation Trust and Coronation Registrars.
The services cover investment management, securities trading, wealth management, estate planning, asset protection and shareholder services.
The group identified access, confidence and continuity as the foundations of its diaspora investment strategy, emphasising professional management, transparent processes, investor protection and long-term wealth preservation.
Other investment stakeholders, including O3 Capital, also participated in the summit’s efforts to expand access to credible investment opportunities.
Meanwhile, the capital market and infrastructure sectors are expected to feature prominently in the discussions, with the first day dedicated to capital market opportunities involving the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), CBN, Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) and Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI).
The second day will focus on infrastructure financing, public-private partnerships and regulatory frameworks, with participation from the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).
Chairman of the NDSI Organising Committee and NDIS Coordinator, Mobolaji Lewis, said the summit had developed into an important platform for connecting diaspora resources, professional expertise and international networks with investment opportunities in Nigeria.
Lewis explained that the 2026 edition was moved to a two-day virtual format in view of the national election campaign season, adding that the adjustment was intended to sustain participation and maintain the summit’s momentum.
He stressed that the challenge facing Nigeria was not simply how to attract diaspora capital but how to create the confidence necessary to ensure that investments were properly managed, transparent and capable of delivering expected returns.
With financial institutions showcasing new products and government agencies providing direct engagement opportunities, the summit is expected to strengthen the relationship between Nigerians abroad and institutions responsible for investment facilitation and regulation.
Ultimately, the success of the initiative may depend less on the amount of capital pledged at the summit and more on the country’s ability to demonstrate that diaspora investments can be protected, properly managed and translated into measurable economic value.
As preparations begin for the 10th anniversary edition in 2027, the message from the 2026 summit is clear: Nigeria’s diaspora community has the financial capacity, skills and global connections to contribute significantly to national development, but unlocking that potential will require more than appeals for patriotism. It will require institutions that earn investors’ trust.