President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerians in the diaspora to take an active role in rebuilding the nation, vowing to accelerate Nigeria’s development through technological innovation, food security, and global partnerships.
Speaking Tuesday during an interactive session with Nigerians living in Brazil, Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s vision for inclusive growth, economic transformation, and cultural renaissance.
“We must bring Nigeria to the forefront of Africa’s progress, driven by technology, food sovereignty, and the courage to change our destiny,” the President declared.
Tinubu said his visit to Brazil was a strategic effort to deepen bilateral ties and draw lessons from Brazil’s rapid transformation, noting that both nations once shared similar economic trajectories.
“Once upon a time, Nigeria and Brazil stood on the same level. Look at Brazil today — its technology, its food systems. We must ask ourselves: what do they have that we don’t? We have the brains, the energy, and the youth. Now, we must act,” he said.
Commending the resilience of the Nigerian diaspora community, Tinubu described them as “pride of the nation” and urged them to see themselves as key partners in Nigeria’s transformation. He also acknowledged the hardship caused by ongoing economic reforms, likening them to “bitter medicine” necessary for long-term stability and prosperity.
On Nigeria’s diplomatic outreach, Tinubu said his government is working to strengthen international partnerships in manufacturing, technology, and cultural exchange. He also expressed support for Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka’s upcoming cultural voyage, describing it as a symbol of vision and action.
Earlier, Chika Emmanuel, Chairman of the Nigerian community in Brazil, praised Tinubu’s diplomatic initiatives and pledged the diaspora’s continued contributions to national development. He highlighted their efforts in agriculture, infrastructure, and education, noting that the number of Nigerian PhD students in Brazil had surged from three to 296 in just over a year.
In response to calls for more consular offices in Brazil, Tinubu urged patience, emphasizing that resources are being carefully managed to ensure the efficiency of foreign missions.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, described the meeting as a “historic milestone” in Nigeria’s engagement with its global diaspora, while Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani credited Tinubu’s economic reforms, including clearing a $7 billion forex backlog, with restoring investor confidence in Nigeria.
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Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, encouraged Nigerians in São Paulo to continue utilizing existing liaison offices until upgrades are completed.
The high-profile meeting, anchored by Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) Chair Abike Dabiri-Erewa, was attended by senior officials including Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, and Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris.
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