Saturday July 26, 2025
By TheNewsDESK |
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Senator Aniekan Bassey, has called for a structured diaspora engagement for the good and progress of the nation.
Senator Bassey made the call on Friday, July 25, at the State House Banquet Hall, Aso Rock, Abuja, where he joined stakeholders and government officials at the 2025 National Diaspora Day celebration, themed “Optimising Formidable Diaspora Potentials for National Development and Growth.”
Delivering his goodwill message, Senator Bassey commended the efforts of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), led by Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, for their sustained commitment to engaging the Nigerian diaspora as a critical partner in national development.
Senator Bassey, who represents the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District, lauded the contributions of Nigerians abroad, noting their significance in investments, knowledge transfer, cultural diplomacy, and economic support.
“Your dedication and expertise have been invaluable to our nation’s progress,” Senator Bassey said, recalling a personal example of a diaspora entrepreneur who successfully invested back home, generating jobs and stimulating local growth.
He emphasized the need for Nigeria to move beyond celebrating diaspora contributions to creating structured platforms and policies that promote sustained involvement.
“To fully unlock this potential, we must establish robust diaspora engagement platforms, provide incentives for diaspora investment, and cultivate a business-friendly environment,” he said.
Senator Bassey pledged the continued support of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs toward legislative initiatives that strengthen diaspora engagement and national development, assuring that the Senate remains open to collaboration with all relevant stakeholders.
He maintained that the 2025 National Diaspora Day celebration marked a renewed national commitment to strategically position the diaspora as a transformative force in Nigeria’s growth trajectory.
High points of the event included thematic panels, youth mentorship sessions, and the prestigious National Diaspora Merit Awards, which recognized outstanding Nigerians abroad as resilient innovators and ambassadors of the country. 
