NDIS: Nigeria assures diasporas security of investments

The Nigerian Government has assured its diasporas of a secure investment and enabling business environment.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said this in Abuja, Nigeria at the 4th Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Osinbajo said Government is also committed to ensuring that investors get a good return for their investments.

“We assure you of our commitment to ensure that your investments are not only secure but that you get a good rate of return on the investments you make. While basking in the glow of being contributors to the growth of business and development of the nation, we remain steadfast in our goal of diversifying the economic resource base of the nation and so seek to activate and encourage multifarious investment options”, he said.

He stated that recovering the economy of the nation cannot be achieved by the government alone hence the need for partnership with the diasporas.

” We need the partnership and deep involvement of the Diaspora and foreign investors, among others, investing in local businesses to boost and diversify the economy. It is this realization that has driven this Administration’s support for the NDIS as a clarion call to our diaspora and their friends to come and invest in a land of boundless opportunities and possibilities like the Chinese, Indians, Lebanese, Israelis and South Africans are already and successfully doing here in Nigeria,” Osinbajo noted.

He noted that 2020 witnessed a number of diaspora investors heeding the call and it is encouraging to note that even more have turned up in 2021.

The Vice President further said Nigeria diasporas remain the most reliable in the world.

“The Nigerian Diaspora, who are not only familiar with the investment terrain, understand the risks and have personal interest and stake in the future of this country, but have also been acclaimed as one of the largest, brightest and most enigmatic Diaspora group in the world, are clearly a desired and desirable base to rely on and partner within boosting our Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for development “.

Osinbajo added that the theme for this year’s Summit- ‘Partnership and Linkages for post-COVID-19 economic growth’ is in consonance with Government’s plans.

Speaking earlier, the Coordinator of NDIS, Dr Badewa Adejubge- Williams said the theme of the summit was consequent on the reality of the indispensable role of the diaspora in the government’s effort to reposition the country’s economy, most especially during this post-Covid era.

She commended the Federal Government for its efforts in making doing business in Nigeria easy and the unprecedented support provided for the small business sector in Nigeria.

“In order for us to achieve rapid economic growth, especially during the Post Covid -19 era in Nigeria, there is a need to aggressively support and invest in SMEs in the country,” she said.

Adejubge-Williams noted that the 2021 summit was apt as it creates a platform for the diaspora to invest in SME’S in the country and further demonstrates that targeting the diaspora for inward investment is one of the best strategies to drive socio-economic growth and development in the country.

“This year’s event is peculiar in that it plans to host a Diaspora Housing Fair, where all Nigerians in the Diaspora will be availed of various opportunities to own their homes in Nigeria seamlessly,” the Coordinator added. (VON)