Dabiri-Erewa Hails Nigerians’ Global Leadership Roles, Links Success to Tinubu’s 4Ds Agenda
By Pan Afric Reporters
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has celebrated Nigerians occupying influential positions in international organisations, global corporations, healthcare institutions and academic establishments, describing their achievements as a source of national pride and a boost to Nigeria’s global image.
Dabiri-Erewa made the remarks in a statement issued in Abuja on October 26, 2026, and signed by Violet Nwosu of NiDCOM’s Media, Public Relations and Protocols unit, noting that the accomplishments of Nigerians abroad reflected the country’s wealth of talent and aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s 4Ds Foreign Policy Agenda.
“These achievements are a source of pride to Nigeria. They demonstrate that Nigerians, wherever they may reside, continue to contribute significantly to global progress,” she said.
She added that the achievements reinforced the importance of the Diaspora pillar of Tinubu’s foreign policy agenda and the need to engage Nigerians abroad as strategic partners in national development.
The 4Ds agenda comprises Development, Democracy, Demography and Diaspora. According to Dabiri-Erewa, the framework highlights how Nigerians abroad can contribute expertise, innovation, investment and knowledge to national growth, while supporting good governance, institutional development and democratic values.
She explained that Nigeria’s large, youthful and globally distributed population represented a significant human-capital resource, adding that stronger engagement with diaspora professionals could help translate their international experience and networks into practical benefits for the country.
Among the Nigerians whose reported achievements she highlighted were Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu in international cancer control; Professor Ibrahim Abubakar in global epidemic preparedness; Dr. Bolu Ogunyemi in Canadian medical leadership; Professor Christian Harrison in academic management; Ugwechi Amadi in global corporate strategy; Dr. Salamat Ahuoiza Aliu-Ibrahim in specialised neurosurgery; and Ifeanyi Umunna in student leadership at Harvard Law School.
The NiDCOM chief called for stronger collaboration between diaspora professionals and Nigerian institutions, particularly in healthcare, education, research, technology, entrepreneurship and public policy. She advocated deliberate mechanisms for knowledge exchange, professional mentorship, investment partnerships and institutional cooperation.
She also urged young Nigerians to draw inspiration from the achievements of their compatriots abroad, stressing the importance of excellence, integrity, innovation and dedication in professional and public life.
“Our diaspora is not merely a community living beyond Nigeria’s sovereign boundaries; it is an invaluable reservoir of talent, experience, innovation, and opportunity,” Dabiri-Erewa said. “By strengthening our engagement with Nigerians abroad, we can translate individual achievements into broader benefits for our country.”
She reaffirmed NiDCOM’s commitment to identifying, documenting, celebrating and engaging Nigerians in the diaspora in support of the Federal Government’s development objectives, noting that sustained engagement could strengthen international partnerships, enhance Nigeria’s global image and advance national development.
