Nigerian diaspora investment summit to hold in UK April

THE Nigerians Diaspora Direct Investment Summit in collaboration with the Nigerian government has concluded plans to hold the Nigerian Communications and Technology Summit in London, April this year.

According to the Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, the aim of the summit was to galvanize Nigeria businessmen and women in the United Kingdom and other investors to establish new businesses in Nigeria.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, the Minister said “Efforts have been made over the years by Nigerian governments to develop the non-oil sectors of the economy by initiating various supportive policies and incentives aimed at encouraging economic diversification with varying levels of success.

“The liberalization of the Telecoms and ICT sector in 2001 triggered a realistic opportunity of economic diversification, as the sector is adjudged to be one of the major support service needed to promote growth and modernization of other sectors of the economy.

“ICT breaks distance barriers, and as such, can act in its own right as not just an enabler but, indeed, an effective catalyst to drive socio-economic transformation, growth, developments and modernization across all sectors of the economy”.

Shittu, however, said “the aim of the summit is, therefore, to galvanize Nigerian businessmen and women in the diaspora and their counterparts in UK business environment along with international investors to establish new businesses in Nigeria. This is expected to be done either as individuals, organisations or by creating partnerships as well as ensuring sustainable employment opportunities in Nigeria.

“The summit is also an opportunity to identify potential sources of finance, technology and technical skills that could boost the promotion and stimulation of enterprise and the creation of jobs in Nigeria”.

He further said that the Nigerian Diaspora Direct Investment Summit was established to help Nigerians in the diaspora connect and set up their businesses in Nigeria. It is aimed at mobilizing the very resourceful, but silent, business class of the Nigerian diaspora who are keen to contribute to the development of Nigeria but have not been able to do so because of lack of regulated opportunities, a properly structured approach and necessary information.

In his address, the Executive Director Nigerian Diaspora Direct Investment Summit, Bimbo Folayan said the summit was targeted at “attracting investment back to Nigeria, also to support the diaspora as they plan to come back to Nigeria and also provide an opportunity to create employment in Nigeria”.