From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has reassured Nigerians abroad of the country’s investor-friendly environment and encouraged them to continue investing in Nigeria.
According to a statement issued by Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit NiDCOM, Abuja, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the statement was made in response to a protest and petition by the Foreign Investors Network (FIN), led by its President, Ifeoma Nkengwu, and Country Representative, Rev. Emmanuel Olorunmagba.
The group had criticized Nigeria’s investment climate, citing the case of Winhomes Global Services Limited, which reportedly invested over $250 million in real estate in Okun Ajah, Lagos, only for the property to be demolished by the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi.
Reacting to the petition, Dabiri-Erewa said “We acknowledge their reach out to NIDCOM, months after the whole issue had become a sensational media affair.
We had begun an investigation into the matter and had some officials visit the site.
However, unfortunately we discovered that the matter is currently in court and we can only wait for the court ruling.
“Nigeria remains open to investors and we commend our brothers and sisters in the diaspora who have been investing in Nigeria particularly in the areas of health,
ICT, Agriculture, Real Estate, Education etc”, she added.
The NiDCOM Chair emphasised that the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS) remains a vital platform for Nigerians abroad seeking investment opportunities.
She revealed that the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment would soon announce initiatives in collaboration with NiDCOM. Additionally, she encouraged the diaspora to view NiDCOM as their embassy in Nigeria, urging them to reach out for support and guidance in navigating and clarifying investment-related matters.
Dabiri-Erewa commended Nigerians living abroad for improved remittances and investments recorded under the. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, She said policies and Programmes that will continue to encourage them will be sustained as they remain a cornerstone of Nigerias economy and cannot be ignored.