According to reporting by **NiDCOM Media**, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER) have commenced a validation workshop for a comprehensive six-continent survey. The study, titled “A Six-Continent Survey of Nigerian Professionals in Diaspora,” aims to create a data-driven policy framework to better harness the skills, innovation, and expertise of Nigerians living abroad for national development.
The initiative seeks to move the conversation beyond simple financial remittances, focusing instead on knowledge transfer, mentorship, and international networking. Stakeholders at the Abuja workshop discussed current hurdles, such as policy inconsistencies and regulatory bottlenecks, that have historically hindered effective engagement with the country’s professional elite in the diaspora.
**Premium Times** reported that the workshop “brought together key stakeholders to deliberate on strategies,” and **The Guardian** mentioned that the survey covers “Nigerian professionals across six continents.” NiDCOM Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa stated, “Beyond remittances, Nigerians abroad contribute immensely through knowledge transfer and innovation.”
**Echotitbits take:** This is a crucial step toward formalizing “Brain Gain.” If Nigeria can successfully integrate the expertise of its tech, medical, and engineering professionals abroad into local projects, it could bypass years of trial-and-error in infrastructure and policy development.
Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/nidcom-targets-diaspora-investments-beyond-remittances/, April 29, 2026
Photo credit: NiDCOM
