Tinubu Calls On Nigerians Abroad To Drive National Development.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged Nigerians living in the diaspora to return home and contribute their skills, expertise, and resources to the nation’s growth. Speaking at an interactive session with members of the Nigerian community in Japan, on the sidelines of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), the President emphasised that Nigeria’s progress hinges on collective responsibility.
During the meeting held at Kahala Hotel and Resort in Yokohama, Tinubu highlighted his administration’s achievements, including improvements in passport issuance, healthcare infrastructure upgrades to curb medical tourism, and economic reforms to enhance business competitiveness. He stressed that these efforts are stabilising Nigeria’s economy and creating opportunities for investment and job creation. “I’m happy to report that many of our people are returning home,” he said, encouraging those abroad not to stay away. “Your contribution is very much needed. If you stay away, who will build it?”
The President underscored the importance of portraying Nigeria positively, urging the diaspora to act as ambassadors for the country. “The strength of citizenship is not just in holding a Nigerian passport but in character and commitment to the nation’s progress,” he noted, cautioning that negative portrayals could deter investment and partnerships essential for development.
The session saw contributions from key figures, including the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Enoh, who highlighted the administration’s bold reforms, citing praise from the World Trade Organisation’s Director-General, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. The Executive Vice Chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, also spoke, noting accelerated technology transfer driven by presidential policies. Wale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive Officer of Oando Plc, lauded economic reforms such as exchange rate liberalisation and fuel subsidy removal, which have boosted government revenue and foreign investment across sectors like oil, gas, mining, and telecommunications.
Emeka Ebogota, President of the Nigerian Union in Japan, expressed gratitude for the President’s engagement and pledged the community’s support for his administration’s agenda. Notable attendees included John Ologbotsere, a Japanese national award winner for electrotechnical standardisation, alongside business leaders, doctors, and students, reflecting the diversity of Nigeria’s diaspora.
Tinubu concluded by reiterating his commitment to inclusive nation-building, assuring the diaspora that Nigeria is on the rise and that every citizen, whether at home or abroad, has a vital role in shaping a stronger, more prosperous future for the country.
