Nigeria is taking a bold step to transform the way its diaspora contributes to the national economy, with the first-ever Diaspora Economic Conference set to take place in Canada later this year. The announcement came from Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman and CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday.
Dubbed NIDEC 2026, the conference will be held in Mississauga, Toronto, at the Apollo Convention Centre from August 13th to 15th. Dabiri-Erewa emphasized that the event is designed to shift the narrative from “remittances for consumption” to “remittances for investment,” unlocking the potential of the Nigerian diaspora as a driver of sustainable growth.
“For years, our diaspora community has been more than just a support system abroad; they’ve been a financial and intellectual lifeline, sending over $20 billion annually in remittances. Our goal now is to channel these contributions into investments that generate jobs, transfer technology, and build Nigeria’s future,” she explained.
The conference will spotlight sectors critical to Nigeria’s growth, including Fintech, ICT and digital innovation, agriculture and agro-processing, mining, renewable energy and infrastructure, real estate, banking, capital markets, and healthcare. The focus will be on fostering direct partnerships, business-to-business matchmaking, and signing memoranda of understanding that produce tangible results for both investors and the country.
Dabiri-Erewa also revealed that NiDCOM is partnering with the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa and the Canadian High Commission in Abuja to ensure smooth logistics and coordination for attendees. She encouraged Nigerian entrepreneurs, state governments with viable projects, financial institutions, and diaspora professionals to actively participate, describing the conference as a “platform to shape policy, secure capital, and contribute directly to the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope agenda.”
With NIDEC 2026, Nigeria is positioning its diaspora not just as contributors, but as strategic partners in the nation’s economic transformation.
