Morganable News/Healthcare
Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, described Nigeria’s diaspora community as a vital national asset capable of driving development beyond remittances and investment inflows
kaNo —
The Federal Government has unveiled a new strategy to harness the expertise of over 50,000 Nigerian doctors in the diaspora as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s healthcare system and improve service delivery nationwide.
The initiative, known as the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative 2026, was formally presented at the 2026 National Diaspora Day celebration held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday.
The event, themed “Harnessing Global Diaspora Expertise to Strengthen Local Health Systems for National Development,” brought together government officials, diaspora representatives and healthcare stakeholders.
He said the initiative is designed to tap into the vast pool of Nigerian healthcare professionals abroad through structured programmes that promote knowledge transfer, medical outreach, capacity building, mentorship and research collaboration.
According to him, the government is committed to building a more resilient healthcare system by connecting global expertise with local needs.
“The diaspora remains one of Nigeria’s most strategic assets, serving as a bridge for diplomacy, technology transfer and global partnerships well beyond remittances and investment,” Enikanolaiye said.
He noted that strengthening healthcare systems is critical to economic growth, social stability and national resilience, adding that the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative would help reduce disparities in access to quality healthcare services across the country.
Strengthening Healthcare Systems Critical To Economic Growth-Minister
The minister explained that early interventions under the programme were already yielding results, including improved healthcare access in underserved communities and enhanced quality of care in participating institutions.
He also commended the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) for spearheading diaspora engagement efforts and driving impactful programmes such as the new health initiative.
She disclosed that the Federal Executive Council had approved the National Diaspora Policy in 2021, while nearly all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory had appointed Diaspora Focal Point Officers to coordinate diaspora-related activities.
Dabiri-Erewa also highlighted ongoing efforts to build a comprehensive National Diaspora Database in collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission, urging Nigerians abroad to register and contribute to national development initiatives.
She said the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative had already facilitated medical missions by diaspora physician associations across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, providing specialised services in maternal and child healthcare, sickle cell screening, emergency surgery and neurosurgery.
According to her, diaspora groups have also donated medical equipment worth billions of naira to hospitals and primary healthcare centres, significantly improving service delivery.
Diaspora Bridge Bringing Nigerian Academics Back Home
She added that the Diaspora Bridge Programme continued to bring Nigerian academics based abroad back home for lectures, research collaboration and sabbaticals, thereby strengthening local capacity.
On the economic front, she revealed that diaspora remittances had risen from $17bn in 2019 to over $21bn in 2025, underscoring the growing importance of Nigerians abroad to the national economy.
She further disclosed that diaspora investment summits had been scheduled to hold in Abuja and Toronto in August, while a partnership with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria would provide affordable housing opportunities for Nigerians living overseas.
The housing scheme, she said, is set to be launched in the United Kingdom next month.
Reflecting on past contributions, Dabiri-Erewa commended Nigerians in the diaspora for their support during the COVID-19 pandemic, humanitarian crises and emergency evacuations from countries such as Sudan, Ukraine, Libya and South Africa.
She noted that NiDCOM had intervened in more than 1,200 cases involving Nigerians facing distress abroad and acknowledged diaspora advocates for assisting in the rescue of trafficking victims, including the recent return of a Nigerian girl from Cairo, Egypt.
NIDCOM Urges National Assembly To Fast-Track Diaspora Voting Bill
The NiDCOM boss also appealed to the National Assembly to fast-track the passage of the diaspora voting bill, which would enable Nigerians living abroad to participate in the country’s electoral process.
She added that over the past four years, the commission had honoured 91 Nigerians in the diaspora with awards recognising excellence in science, healthcare, sports and humanitarian service.
Looking ahead, Dabiri-Erewa announced plans to establish a Diaspora Investment Fund and a National Diaspora Health Corps that would engage at least 1,000 diaspora healthcare professionals annually.
She expressed appreciation to Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support for diaspora engagement, describing Nigerians abroad as “ambassadors at large” who continue to project a positive image of the country globally.
“We are one nation, one people. The journey continues and the best is yet to come,” she said.
Nowhere Like Home, Tinubu Urges Diaspora Health Workers To Return
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has urged Nigerian medical professionals living abroad to consider returning home and contributing directly to national development.
Drawing from his personal experience of studying and working in the United States before returning to Nigeria, Tinubu said his journey should inspire other Nigerians in the diaspora.
“I’ve been through that journey. I’m home, and I can tell you there’s nowhere like home,” he said.
Tinubu recalled his early career experiences in the United States, including his time working in Chicago, and said returning to Nigeria had given him the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to national development.
“I’ve taken the best of America in my chosen profession accountancy and finance but coming back home has been a very good challenge to commit and endure the possibility of turning Nigeria around,” he added.
The President urged members of the delegation to encourage their colleagues abroad to return or find ways to support the country’s healthcare system from wherever they are.
“So many of you have seen the challenges on the other side of the world. You’ve experienced them and now you’re back home to make a difference. I urge you to persuade others to join you,” he said.
Stakeholders at the event expressed optimism that the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative would help address the shortage of skilled healthcare workers in Nigeria, improve access to specialised care and strengthen the overall health system.
