By LYDIA CHIGOZIE-NGWAKWE/STELLAMARIS ASHINZE

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has launched Connected Diaspora x DOWA Start-up Challenge in an effort to deepen diaspora participation in national development.

The commission also announced the second edition of its Connected Diaspora Flagship Event.

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, made this known at a news conference on Tuesday in Lagos.

She said that the Connected Diaspora x DOWA Start-Up Challenge would have the theme, “Building, Breaking and Believing in Nigeria”.

The chairman said that the challenge was aimed at promoting innovation, enterprise development and investment by Nigerians in the diaspora.

She said that NiDCOM introduced the challenge to showcase talents of young Nigerians in the country.

Dabiri-Erewa said that participants would compete for one million Naira cash prize.

“The most important thing is to display talent. You never know where that talent will take you,” she said.

The NiDCOM boss said the initiative was targeted at creating opportunities in education and capacity building as well as providing employments through remote jobs.

She described the challenge as a platform that would encourage young Nigerians excelling abroad to give back to their country.

Dabiri-Erewa said that the challenge was owned by young Nigerians in the diaspora, while NiDCOM would only provide support to make it successful.

Dabiri-Erewa said the second edition of the Connected Diaspora Flagship Event would hold on Dec. 19 in Lagos.

She said that the event was designed as a platform for young Nigerians living abroad, who would return home during Christmas, to engage in meaningful conversations beyond social activities.

According to her, this year’s event is focused on building and believing in Nigeria, with young Nigerians in the diaspora expected to drive discussions on how to contribute to national growth.

She said that diaspora remittances had risen to about 600 million dollars monthly, attributing the growth to improved policies under the current administration.

She added that Nigerians abroad were investing more in sectors such as health, education, food business and information and communication technology.

“If countries such as India, China, Pakistan and Israel did it, why not Nigeria? We have the greatest talents in the world,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the entries for the Connected Diaspora x DOWA Start-Up Challenge will close on Dec. 7, 2025, according to Dabiri-Erewa.

She also said that the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, will be the special guest of honour at the flagship event.

According to her, Mr Leonard Stanley Ekeh, Chairman of Zinox Group, will deliver the keynote address.

Dabiri-Erewa added that the event would feature a Diaspora Talent, Career and Internship Fair designed to connect returnees with job and internship opportunities through DOWA partner organisations.

Dabiri-Erewa called on stakeholders in the public and private sectors to collaborate in promoting innovation and nation-building. (NAN)