Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured Nigerians in the Diaspora of greater involvement in the policies and programmes of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, saying the government is committed to positioning Nigeria in its rightful place among the comity of nations.
Speaking during a meeting with members of the Nigerian community in the United States on the sidelines of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Shettima urged Nigerians abroad to maintain confidence in their country, noting that reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda are already placing Nigeria on a stronger path.
He said, “I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart but I will have to come back to the US again and have a more robust engagement with you. Each one of you has value addition capabilities in your own way, and your experience is not something you can buy in the market. You have earned it. Continue to believe in Nigeria. Nigeria is on the right track. In the fullness of time, we will occupy our rightful place in the comity of nations.”
On behalf of President Tinubu, the Vice President praised Nigerians in diaspora for their resilience, their belief in the current administration, and their potential to contribute meaningfully to the country’s ongoing transformation efforts. He further encouraged them to be proud of their heritage, pointing to new economic growth as a reflection of the government’s well-thought-out policies.
“Our foreign reserve is crossing the $40 billion mark, the subnationals are raking in trillions of naira and we are seeing unprecedented infrastructural investment across the entire country. We’re investing in the Nigerian youth and students as is the case with NELFUND,” Shettima stated.
Chairman and CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who introduced some Nigerians making significant progress abroad, said the Tinubu administration has given diaspora matters serious attention. According to her, this has made it easier for Nigerians overseas to access essential services and opportunities.
“Under this administration, it is easier for you to get your passport. Also, the non-resident Bank Verification Number (BVN) is now working under this administration. You don’t need to come home to get your BVN, and a lot of investment opportunities are now open and available. Most importantly, the economy is being transformed, and Nigeria is now a good place to invest,” she explained.
The Vice President listened to members of the Nigerian community who expressed readiness to invest in different sectors of the Nigerian economy, including mining, healthcare, artificial intelligence, fintech, the creative industry and agriculture. They commended the government’s reforms, particularly the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
Those who spoke at the meeting include an Amazon AI Engineer, Adebimpe Daniels; a healthcare specialist, Saratu Garba; and Mr. Idoni Matthew, among others. They highlighted their willingness to contribute skills and capital to the country’s economic growth and praised the administration for creating an enabling environment for investors.
Shettima reassured the gathering that the Tinubu administration is determined to sustain reforms that will make Nigeria a competitive and attractive destination for global partnerships, with emphasis on economic stability, infrastructure development, and youth empowerment.
