NIDCOM, FMBN ADVOCATE STRONGER INVESTOR PROTECTION TO UNLOCK DIASPORA CAPITAL

The Nigeria could unlock tens of billions of dollars in annual diaspora investments across key economic sectors if prospective investments are structured transparently and backed by robust legal protections.
​This was the consensus of key stakeholders on Tuesday during the opening of the 9th Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS 2026). The two-day virtual summit, themed “Bridging the Trust Gap: Connecting Diaspora Capital with Credible Home-Based Opportunities,” was organized by the Nigeria Diaspora Summit Initiative (NDSI) in collaboration with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).
​Delivering her opening remarks, Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Hon. (Dr.) Abike Dabiri-Erewa, emphasized that attracting diaspora capital requires moving beyond emotional and patriotic appeals toward establishing institutional transparency, regulatory safeguards, verified service providers, and clear investor protection frameworks.
​Dabiri-Erewa noted that trust and information gaps remain the primary barriers to diaspora investment, pointing to widespread experiences with fraudulent schemes, informal channels, lack of project visibility, and opaque regulatory procedures.
​She explained that the 2026 edition was structured as a hybrid and virtual event due to the national election campaign season, ensuring continuous engagement with the diaspora while setting the stage for the summit’s 10th anniversary in 2027.
​”The first day focuses on capital market opportunities, with guidance from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), and Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) on regulated instruments and dispute resolution,” Dabiri-Erewa said. She added that Day 2 will cover public-private partnership (PPP) infrastructure opportunities, business registration, property documentation, and anti-fraud mechanisms.
​In his welcome address, Summit Organising Committee Chairman and NDIS Coordinator, Mobolaji Lewis, noted that the summit remains a vital bridge between Nigerians abroad and domestic opportunities. He stated that the primary challenge for diaspora investors is not a lack of capital or interest, but concerns regarding project execution, financial accountability, and overall investment credibility.
​Delivering the keynote address, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Shehu Usman Osidi, highlighted Nigeria’s diaspora as an invaluable reservoir of capital, technical expertise, and innovation capable of accelerating domestic industry growth, job creation, and infrastructure development.
​Osidi identified critical growth sectors for diaspora capital, including agriculture, manufacturing, real estate, renewable energy, healthcare, technology, and capital markets. However, he warned that unresolved property titles, weak investment governance, and regulatory complexity continue to deter potential investors.
​To address housing deficits among Nigerians abroad, Osidi spotlighted the FMBN’s National Housing Fund (NHF) Diaspora Mortgage Product, which was launched in London on August 7, 2026.
​Key details of the diaspora mortgage scheme include:
​Eligibility: Open to Nigerians abroad aged 18 to 70 years.
​Contribution Tiering: Fixed monthly contributions of $100 (Basic), $200 (Classic), or $300 (Premium).
​Mortgage Waiting Period: Contributors become eligible for financing after 24, 18, or 12 months, depending on their contribution tier.
​Loan Cap & Terms: Access to mortgage loans up to N100 million, requiring a 10% equity contribution with repayment terms extending up to 10 years.
​Osidi revealed that within its first few months, the product had already attracted contributions from Nigerians residing across 31 countries on six continents.
​To further boost investor confidence, the FMBN chief called for a coordinated national diaspora investment framework, digital title verification systems, streamlined remittance channels, and transparent digital platforms that enable investors to monitor project execution and seek legal redress remotely. He reaffirmed FMBN’s commitment to expanding affordable homeownership solutions while commending NiDCOM and NDSI for driving diaspora-led national development.