President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians in the diaspora to move beyond remittances for consumption and invest in ventures, saying diaspora capital is needed for growth.
Tinubu spoke at the Nigeria Diaspora Economic Conference 2026 in Toronto, where he was represented by Femi Gbajabiamila.
He acknowledged that remittances help families with school fees, medical bills, housing and businesses, but said they should support production and development.
“The nation owes you gratitude. But remittances must become the floor of diaspora engagement, not its ceiling. Remittances sustain consumption. Investment expands production. Expertise builds institutions. Networks open markets. Nigeria now needs all four,” he said.
Tinubu urged Nigerians abroad to prioritise investments over property acquisition.
“Do not merely acquire property in Nigeria; acquire productive stakes in Nigeria,” he said.
He identified sectors as investment opportunities and urged the diaspora to leverage Nigeria’s access to the African market through AfCFTA.
“President Tinubu is not asking you to invest out of nostalgia, guilt or charity. He is inviting you to invest based on opportunity, shared strategic interest, and disciplined patriotism,” he said.
He urged Nigerians abroad to establish investment clubs, mentor entrepreneurs and connect businesses to global markets.
“The question should not only be, ‘How much did I send?’ It should also be, ‘What capability did I help Nigeria build?’” he said.
Tinubu said government would improve regulations and investment transparency to attract diaspora investors.
“Let this conference not be measured only by speeches, applause or a final communique. Let it be measured by commitments: one enterprise funded; one institution strengthened; one young Nigerian mentored; one export route opened; one research partnership established; one community transformed,” he said.
The post “Remittances Aren’t Enough, Come Home And Invest’ – Bola Tinubu To Nigerians In Diaspora appeared first on Information Nigeria.