The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi has said that Nigeria needs to tap more of the skills, investments and global connections of its citizens abroad to accelerate growth in the digital economy.
Abdullahi made this call at the Nigeria Diaspora Investment & Economic Conference (NDIEC) 2026 in Canada, where he urged Nigeria to move beyond depending mainly on diaspora remittances.
He said Nigerians living abroad could play a bigger role in the country’s technology sector through investment, expertise, innovation and access to international markets.
According to him, Nigeria should focus on “brain circulation” rather than treating the movement of skilled Nigerians abroad solely as brain drain.
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The approach would allow Nigerians overseas to maintain their careers and international networks while contributing knowledge, technology and investment to projects at home.
Abdullahi said Nigeria’s large diaspora community remains an important resource for strengthening the country’s digital economy.
He also pointed to the global experience and connections of Nigerians abroad as opportunities for local technology companies to access new markets and partnerships.
The NITDA chief said stronger links between Nigeria’s digital ecosystem and its diaspora could help attract more technology investment and support innovation.
About the Author
Cecilia Attah is a tech analyst with a degree from Benue State University. She covers tech news and startups at TechRegard with a focus on how technology is transforming Africa and shaping the global landscape.
