The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has said the 2026 Nigeria Diaspora Investment Economic Conference will focus on attracting investment, creating jobs and increasing foreign exchange inflows into Nigeria.
Enikanolaiye made this known in Abuja while speaking with journalists ahead of his departure for the four-day conference in Toronto, Canada. The minister said the conference was not a diplomatic jamboree. According to him, the Federal Government expects clear economic results from the event.
“This administration does not travel for jamborees. We travel for results. Mr. President has mandated a high-powered delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, because NIDEC 2026 is a deal room for Nigeria’s growth,” he said.
NIDEC to deepen Nigeria-Canada ties
Enikanolaiye said the conference aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s realigned 4Ds Foreign Policy Agenda, which focuses on Demography, Development, Democracy and Diaspora. He said NIDEC would provide a platform to strengthen Nigeria’s economic relationship with Canada.
Senior Canadian officials, including Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali and ministers from Ontario, are expected to participate in the conference. According to the minister, discussions will cover trade agreements, partnerships for small and medium-sized businesses and better access for Nigerian products in the North American market.
Key Nigerian economic agencies will also participate. They include the Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Nigerian Export Promotion Council and Nigeria Revenue Service. Enikanolaiye said the delegation would promote measures to attract diaspora capital, expand exports and develop investment vehicles linked to remittances. He added that the measures were aimed at increasing foreign exchange inflows and creating more jobs in Nigeria.
Five governors to pitch investment projects
The minister said the participation of five governors would help expand investment opportunities beyond Abuja. The governors are from Anambra, Borno, Kaduna, Plateau and Zamfara states. He said they would meet potential investors and present projects in infrastructure, agriculture, technology and mining.
Enikanolaiye also highlighted the participation of the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa. According to him, Inuwa’s participation would help Nigeria secure partnerships in digital innovation, fintech and information technology capacity building. He said such partnerships would support the Federal Government’s digital economy and skills development plans.
FG targets diaspora investment
Enikanolaiye said NIDEC was designed to connect investment-ready Nigerian projects with Nigerians living abroad. He added that the conference would also address some of the challenges faced by Nigerians in the diaspora who want to invest in the country.
The minister said Nigeria received more than $20bn in diaspora remittances last year. However, he said the government wanted to turn more of those funds into investments that would create jobs. He said the goal was to channel diaspora resources into equity, factories and businesses.
“@NIDEC 2026 is economic diplomacy in action. Nigeria is open for business. And we are going to Toronto to close deals,” he said.
The four-day NIDEC 2026, themed “Invest Nigeria, Thrive Abroad,” is scheduled to hold from August 12 to 15, 2026, in Toronto, Canada. The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission is organising the conference in collaboration with the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa and the Canadian High Commission in Abuja. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the conference will connect international investors with bankable investment opportunities in Nigeria.
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