By Fatima Saka
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has honoured outstanding Nigerians living abroad for their exceptional contributions to healthcare, innovation, humanitarian service and national development, underscoring the growing impact of diaspora engagement in strengthening Nigeria’s health sector.
The recognition took place at the 2026 National Diaspora Merit Awards Dinner, the grand finale of the 2026 National Diaspora Day celebrations held in Abuja.
The awards, instituted in 2024, celebrate Nigerians in the diaspora whose professional excellence, patriotism and commitment continue to drive meaningful contributions to the country’s development.
Welcoming guests, NiDCOM Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the Nigerian diaspora as one of the nation’s greatest assets, noting that this year’s focus on healthcare reflects the remarkable role of Nigerian medical professionals across the globe.
She disclosed that through the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative (DHII), medical missions from countries including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia and South Africa returned to Nigeria to deliver life-saving interventions, specialist consultations, capacity building and technology transfer.
According to her, the volunteer teams conducted surgeries, trained healthcare workers, introduced modern techniques and strengthened healthcare delivery nationwide without charging beneficiaries.
“They have changed lives, reduced mortality, introduced new technology and demonstrated what it truly means to give back to one’s country,” Dabiri-Erewa said.
She added that the outreach reinforces the importance of leveraging diaspora expertise to complement government efforts in improving healthcare services.
Dabiri-Erewa expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting diaspora engagement initiatives, and acknowledged Vice President Kashim Shettima, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, development partners and corporate sponsors for their contributions.
She also highlighted the success of the Youth Summit held as part of the celebrations, describing it as a platform for mentoring and inspiring young Nigerians to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Quoting President Tinubu’s message to Nigerians abroad, she said: “Never stop giving back. Your country needs your hands, your hearts and your healing.”
In his keynote address, Chairman of Channels Media Group, John Momoh, challenged Nigerians to redefine patriotism beyond geographical boundaries, emphasizing that the country’s greatest resource is its people.
“Our greatest natural resource has never been beneath the ground; it has always been Nigerians,” he said.
Momoh urged professionals abroad to leverage their expertise, global networks and experience to strengthen healthcare, education, research, innovation and entrepreneurship in Nigeria. He stressed that patriotism should be measured by value and impact, not location.
The veteran broadcaster also called for stronger partnerships among government, the private sector, academia and the diaspora to unlock Nigeria’s human capital and transform critical sectors.
The ceremony climaxed with the presentation of the 2026 National Diaspora Merit Awards to distinguished individuals and organisations whose contributions have advanced healthcare, education, innovation and humanitarian service.
Stakeholders at the event reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration between Nigeria and its global diaspora community, particularly through the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative, which continues to demonstrate the transformative role of diaspora expertise in advancing sustainable national development.
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