As thousands of young Nigerians abroad prepare to visit home for the festive season, the Federal Government is turning December into more than a holiday period — it is using it as a strategic moment to tap into the nation’s global talent network.

On December 19, the National Diaspora Convention will hold at the JK Randle Centre in Lagos, marking a renewed drive to engage young Nigerian innovators around the world. Organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) in collaboration with youth-led organisations and Connected Diaspora, this year’s event places young Nigerians in the diaspora — many under 35 and thriving in global tech and innovation — at the heart of conversations about Nigeria’s development.

Under the theme “Building, Breaking and Believing in Nigeria,” the convention aims to energise diaspora-led innovation, promote knowledge transfer, support enterprise development, and attract strategic investments aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy.

To move ideas beyond discussion, NIDCOM is introducing a million-naira innovation challenge to highlight outstanding projects developed by Nigerians abroad. The initiative underscores government’s commitment to recognising the diaspora as key partners in nation-building.

The convention will also bring together policymakers, entrepreneurs, investors, and tech leaders. Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, is expected to deliver the keynote address on how deeper collaboration with the diaspora can accelerate Nigeria’s growth.

But the core of the event remains the young Nigerians themselves — from AI specialists to global entrepreneurs — whom organisers say “are shaping industries abroad and are eager to contribute back home.”

A major highlight of the programme is the Diaspora Talent Career and Internship Fair, organised with partners such as DOWA, to connect returnees with local job and investment opportunities. With many diaspora youths already hiring Nigerians remotely, NIDCOM believes this marks the beginning of a new era where jobs can be created locally without mass migration.

Now in its second edition, the convention has expanded to include a talent showcase, where returning innovators will identify and invest in homegrown talent. According to NIDCOM, the goal is to build a platform that fosters direct support for Nigerian youths and long-term collaboration.

Explaining the motivation behind the initiative, officials said:
“We asked ourselves why these brilliant young Nigerians should come home only to party. Let’s give them a platform where their ideas matter. Nobody will build Nigeria but Nigerians — and the younger generation abroad must be part of it.”

Registration is currently open at nidcom.gov.ng, with a selection process to follow.