NIDCOM Chairperson Abike Dabiri-Erewa Invites Pelican Valley CEO to Share Success Stories At Zonal Diaspora Investment Forum

By: Olufemi Orunsola 

As part of efforts geared towards increasing Diaspora awareness and exploitation of opportunities in Nigeria's real estate sector, the Chairperson, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa has officially invited Abeokuta-based, front line real estate entrepreneur, Ambassador Dr Babatunde Adeyemo to speak at a Zonal Diaspora Investment Sensitization forum in Lagos on Tuesday.

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that Hon. Dabiri-Erewa officially extended the invitation to speak at the Southwest Zonal Sensitization forum with the theme: Sensitization and Advocacy for Promoting Diaspora this Investment Potential in Southwest Nigeria.’ to Ambassador Adeyemo via a letter dated January 15, personally signed by her.

The event is coming shortly after a revelation by the NiDCOM Chairperson that Diaspora remittances from Nigerians abroad within the last five years have exceeded $90 billion.

OTN News further reports that by the invitation, Amb. Babatunde Adeyemo is expected to share his wealth of experiences in real estate as a Keynote Speaker to do justice to the theme of the sensitization and advocacy programme for promoting diaspora investment potentials in Ogun State and the entire Southwest geopolitical Zone during the event, using his own success stories in real estate as reference point.

The event, organized by Nigerians in Diaspora Practices from Diaspora Investments in Real Estate.’ Gconsulting International is slated for January 21 at NECA House, ALAUSA, Ikeja, Lagos on Tuesday 21st January, 2025.

The invitation letter reads in part, “This is initiative organised by NiDCOM in collaboration with Gconsulting International Services Ltd. It seeks to highlight the vast opportunities in the Southwest region and foster greater diaspora engagement in strategic investments."

It further reads, "As a leading figure in real estate sector in Nigeria, your insights and vision will set the tone for discussions aimed at unlocking the potential of diaspora investment in key sector particularly real estate sector."

OTN News further recalls that the NiDCOM Chairperson, had during the 2024 budget performance and 2025 budget defence before the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Diaspora disclosed that Nigerians living overseas spent approximately ₦60 billion during their visits to Nigeria in December 2024 while their remittances in the last five years had also exceeded $9 billion dollars.

Hon. Dabiri-Erewa maintained that this very significant expenditure was a testament to the growing impact of diaspora on the Nigerian economy and lauded them for eagerness to invest back home towards nation – building.

In her words, “We have reached a stage where, in the last five years, we have shown that the diaspora is a powerful force and resources and we cannot ignore them.

“We have 17 million of them. And how much did this generate for the growth of the economy? Remittances alone in the last five years have been over $90 billion."

Critical stakeholders in Nigeria's real estate sector, relevant professional bodies, real estate investors at home and abroad are billed to participate in the event.