NASENI, NiDCOM Partner to Harness Diaspora Innovation

L-R: Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, NASENI, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, and Chairman/CEO, NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, during the NASENI team’s visit to NiDCOM headquarters in Abuja.

NASENI, NiDCOM Partner to Harness Diaspora Innovation

By Gloria Sarauniya Usman

ABUJA, NIGERIA September, 2025 - The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) have agreed to strengthen collaboration to leverage the expertise of Nigerians abroad in advancing innovation and technology for national development.

Speaking during a visit to NiDCOM headquarters in Abuja, NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, described the partnership as a timely step toward connecting local innovators with diaspora scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs. He highlighted key NASENI projects, including Revolut, a low-cost payment platform, the Innovation Hub and Incubation Programme, and Delta-2, a Czech-Nigeria technology partnership now in its third phase.

L-R: Special Assistant to the NASENI EVC on Foreign Relations, Dr. Mohammed Dahiru; Chairman/CEO, NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa; Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, NASENI, Khalil Suleiman Halilu; and an official of NiDCOM, during the visit in Abuja.

Halilu presented two major initiatives: a government-backed multi-currency payment platform with real-time monitoring features, and a structured programme to engage Nigerians in the diaspora in science, technology, and entrepreneurship-driven projects to boost the economy. He noted that NiDCOM’s professional database would be central to this effort.

NiDCOM Chairman/CEO, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, commended NASENI’s initiatives and pledged full support. She encouraged the Agency to showcase its projects at the upcoming 8th Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS), scheduled for November 11–13, 2025 in Abuja, stressing that diaspora engagement is key to advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Both agencies agreed to set up a joint working committee to streamline areas of cooperation and develop projects focusing on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), as well as wider diaspora participation in innovation.