President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians in the diaspora to return home and help drive national development.
He assured reforms are underway to stabilize the economy, improve healthcare, and attract investments.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerians living abroad to return home and contribute to the country’s renewed path of growth and development.
He made the appeal during an interactive session with members of the Nigerian community at the Kahala Hotel and Resort in Yokohama, Japan, on the sidelines of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9).
Tinubu assured the audience that his administration is committed to creating an enabling environment where citizens can prosper. He acknowledged that some may choose to remain overseas for personal or financial reasons, but emphasized that the nation’s future relies on the collective efforts of its people. “Nigeria cannot build itself if her people stay away. Your hands and minds are needed at home,” he said.
The President urged Nigerians in the diaspora to act as genuine ambassadors by projecting a positive image of the country. He explained that true citizenship goes beyond holding a passport, stressing that it involves character, responsibility, and active contribution to national progress.
Outlining his government’s reforms, Tinubu mentioned improvements in passport processing, steps to stabilize the economy, new investments in healthcare to reduce dependence on foreign treatment, and programs designed to grow businesses, attract investors, and strengthen the stock market.
Members of the Nigerian community in Japan, including students, entrepreneurs, and professionals, expressed support for the government’s initiatives. Emeka Ebogota, President of the Nigerian Union in Japan, thanked Tinubu for engaging with them directly and pledged the Union’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s transformation agenda.
The session was attended by top government officials such as Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Solid Minerals Dele Alake, Minister of Regional Development Abubakar Momoh, Minister of Science and Technology Uche Nnaji, Minister of Budget Atiku Bagudu, and Minister of State for Finance Doris Uzoka-Anite.
