The Federal Government has launched a new initiative to harness the expertise of more than 50,000 Nigerian doctors and thousands of other healthcare professionals living abroad as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s healthcare system.
The initiative, known as the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative (DHII) 2026, was unveiled on Friday during the 2026 National Diaspora Day celebration held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The event was themed, “Harnessing Global Diaspora Expertise to Strengthen Local Health Systems for National Development.”
Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, described Nigerians in the diaspora as one of the country’s greatest strategic assets, stressing that the government was committed to tapping into their expertise beyond remittances and investment.
He explained that the initiative would focus on knowledge transfer, specialist medical outreach, clinical mentorship, research collaboration, capacity building and workforce development to improve healthcare delivery nationwide.
According to him, the programme is already contributing to improved healthcare access, enhanced quality of medical services, reduced health disparities and progress toward universal health coverage.
“The diaspora remains one of Nigeria’s most strategic assets, serving as a bridge for diplomacy, technology transfer and global partnership well beyond remittances and investment,” Enikanolaiye said.
He added, “Strong health systems are essential for economic growth, social stability and national resilience. By connecting global Nigerian medical expertise with local healthcare needs, we are building a healthier and more prosperous nation.”
The minister also reaffirmed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ commitment to deepening engagement with Nigerians abroad and commended the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), led by its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, for driving diaspora-focused programmes such as the DHII.
In her remarks, Dabiri-Erewa said NiDCOM had evolved “from policy to impact,” noting that Nigerians in the diaspora now enjoy stronger representation in government affairs.
She revealed that the Federal Executive Council had approved the National Diaspora Policy 2021 and disclosed that nearly all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory had appointed Diaspora Focal Point Officers to coordinate engagement with Nigerians living abroad.
The NiDCOM boss also announced progress on the National Diaspora Database, developed in partnership with the National Identity Management Commission, urging Nigerians overseas to register their profiles.
Highlighting achievements recorded under the DHII, Dabiri-Erewa said diaspora physician associations had organised medical missions across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, offering specialist services in maternal and child healthcare, sickle cell screening, emergency surgery and neurosurgery.
She added that diaspora medical organisations had donated medical equipment worth billions of naira to hospitals and primary healthcare centres across the country, while the Diaspora Bridge Programme continued to facilitate the return of academics for lectures and sabbatical engagements.
Dabiri-Erewa also unveiled a Silicon Valley Tech Bridge partnership with San José State University aimed at equipping young Nigerians with emerging technology skills.
On economic contributions, she disclosed that diaspora remittances increased from $17 billion in 2019 to over $21 billion in 2025, while investment summits have been scheduled to hold in Abuja and Toronto in August.
She further announced a partnership between NiDCOM and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria to provide affordable housing opportunities for Nigerians living abroad, with the scheme expected to be launched in the United Kingdom next month.
The NiDCOM chairman also appealed to the National Assembly to fast-track the passage of the diaspora voting bill to enable Nigerians abroad to participate in future elections.
Looking ahead, she announced plans to establish a Diaspora Investment Fund and a National Diaspora Health Corps, which will engage about 1,000 diaspora health professionals every year.
Expressing appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for supporting diaspora engagement, Dabiri-Erewa described Nigerians abroad as ambassadors of the country.
“We are one nation, one people. The journey continues and the best is yet to come,” she said.
