Diaspora innovation takes center stage as NiDCOM, NASENI join forces

Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) are working closely to explore new ways of building innovation and technology, using the expertise and skills of Nigerians living in the diaspora, as well as those at home.

According to the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit NiDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Chairman/CEO, NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in a strategic meeting with Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, NASENI, described this collaboration as a “timely intervention”, noting that it will help connect Nigeria’s local innovators with scientists, engineers, technologists, and entrepreneurs in the Diaspora.

She asserted that the partnership will foster opportunities for Nigerians everywhere to work together for Nigeria’s progress through sharing ideas, skills, and experiences that can help build a stronger, more innovative Nigeria, especially under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Dabiri-Erewa lauded the works done by the Agency. She assured that the Commission will give them the relevant support needed, while suggesting that the NASENI team participate in the 8th Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS), holding November 11-13, 2025, in Abuja.

Mr. Halilu, highlighted NASENI’s key projects, including Revolut, a payment platform already serving thousands of Nigerians with low-cost, real-time transfers; the Innovation Hub and Incubation Programme, which funds Nigerian scientists and innovators, both in home and diaspora; and Delta-2, a partnership with the Czech Republic entering its third phase this September to bring new technology and international collaboration to Nigeria.

He said his visit to NiDCOM was to present two key projects: a government-backed payment platform, similar to Revolut, designed to be seamless, flexible, multi-currency, and to provide real-time monitoring at affordable rates, while the second project aims to engage Nigerians in the Diaspora, particularly in science, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship, to develop practical projects that can grow the economy.

While commending Dabiri-Erewa, the NASENI CEO added that NiDCOM’s database of professionals would play an essential role in this course.

Both NiDCOM and NASENI also agreed to set up a joint working committee to streamline areas of collaboration and design projects focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), alongside wider Diaspora engagement.