Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) don warn say fraud, unverified investment channels and weak protection for investors na major problem wey dey stop Nigerians abroad from putting money into Nigeria economy. Di commission chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, raise di concern for opening of di 9th Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit 2026 for Abuja.
Di summit, wey NiDCOM organise with Nigeria Diaspora Summit Initiative, get theme wey dem call Bridging the Trust Gap: Connecting Diaspora Capital with Credible Home-based Opportunities. Dabiri-Erewa talk say di problems don create trust deficit wey must clear before more Nigerians abroad go channel their resources into domestic economy.
She describe Nigerians living abroad as serious economic force, saying their money, expertise and global networks fit help Nigeria ambition to build $1tn economy. But she note say transparency worries, fraudulent investment schemes and unreliable investment platforms still dey discourage potential investors. Di NiDCOM chief call for effective regulatory safeguards, transparent investment processes and credible platforms to protect people wey wan invest and restore confidence.
For im keynote address, di Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Shehu Usman Osidi, talk say Nigeria must move beyond just appealing to Nigerians abroad to invest. According to am, government suppose create environment where diaspora investors fit independently verify, access and monitor investment opportunities from wherever dem dey.
Osidi list fraudulent property transactions, disputed land titles, abandoned projects, unfulfilled contractual obligations and mismanagement of investment funds as some factors wey dey weaken diaspora investors confidence. He call for stronger collaboration among government institutions, regulators and private-sector operators to promote transparency and protect diaspora investments.
Di FMBN boss talk say Federal Government don take steps to strengthen engagement with Nigerians abroad through establishment of NiDCOM and adoption of National Diaspora Policy. He say di policy provide framework to mobilise diaspora resources through investment, trade, entrepreneurship, public-private partnerships and knowledge transfer. Osidi also mention reforms under President Bola Tinubu administration, especially those wey dey go through Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, wey Vice President Kashim Shettima dey chair.
On housing, Osidi disclose say FMBN introduce National Housing Fund Diaspora Mortgage Product, wey dem launch for London on August 7, 2026. He say dem design di product to address difficulties Nigerians living abroad dey face in accessing mortgage facilities and acquiring properties inside Nigeria. He add say di bank establish dedicated Global Business Strategic Unit to coordinate im diaspora operations and improve customer engagement and service delivery.
