President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a high-powered Nigerian delegation led by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to attend the maiden Nigeria Diaspora Investment Economic Conference (NIDEC) in Toronto, Canada.
Gatekeepers News reports that the conference, scheduled for August 12 to 15, 2026, is themed “Invest Nigeria, Thrive Abroad” and is aimed at attracting investment into Nigeria while strengthening economic ties between the country and its diaspora community.
The delegation includes five state governors — Babagana Zulum of Borno, Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra, Uba Sani of Kaduna, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara.
Other members of the delegation are the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole; and Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
The event is being organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) in collaboration with the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa, the Canadian High Commission in Abuja and other stakeholders.
According to NiDCOM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the composition of the delegation reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to deepening economic cooperation between Nigeria and Canada through trade, investment and diaspora engagement.
Dabiri-Erewa described the conference as an outcome-driven investment platform designed to connect international investors with “investment-ready” opportunities across key sectors of the Nigerian economy.
Discussions at the conference are expected to cover agriculture, technology, manufacturing, infrastructure, energy, healthcare and the digital economy, with emphasis on creating partnerships capable of generating investment and economic opportunities in Nigeria.
The conference will also provide an avenue for Nigerian government officials to engage members of the Nigerian diaspora and potential Canadian investors on opportunities available under the Federal Government’s economic reform agenda.
The development comes as the Tinubu administration continues efforts to attract foreign capital, expand trade partnerships and position the Nigerian diaspora as a major contributor to national economic development.
However, the decision to have Gbajabiamila lead a delegation comprising serving Governors has attracted political criticism. The opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) questioned why an unelected presidential aide would lead elected Governors on an international assignment.
Despite the criticism, Federal Government is expected to use the Toronto conference to showcase Nigeria’s investment opportunities and deepen economic engagement with Canada and Nigerians living abroad.
