President Bola Tinubu has approved a high-level federal delegation to attend the inaugural Nigeria Diaspora Investment Economic Conference, scheduled for August 12 to 15, 2026, in Toronto, Canada. The delegation will be led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, according to an announcement by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).
Delegation Composition
The delegation includes five state governors: Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State. Three federal ministers are also part of the team: Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Jumoke Oduwole, and Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Representatives from key federal agencies will also participate, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Revenue Service, Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission, Nigeria Export Promotion Council, and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
Conference Theme and Objectives
The conference, themed "Invest Nigeria, Thrive Abroad," is being organized by NiDCOM in collaboration with the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa, the Canadian High Commission in Abuja, and other stakeholders. It aims to connect international investors with "investment-ready" opportunities across key sectors of Nigeria's economy, including agriculture, technology, manufacturing, infrastructure, energy, healthcare, and the digital economy.
NiDCOM Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa emphasized the significance of the delegation's composition: "The calibre of officials attending the conference demonstrates President Tinubu's commitment to strengthening economic cooperation between Nigeria and Canada through trade, investment and diaspora engagement." She added that the event "is more than a conference" and is designed as "an outcome-driven investment platform" to foster bilateral economic relations.
Canadian Officials to Attend
Several Canadian officials are expected to attend, including Shafqat Ali, President of the Treasury Board of Canada; Graham McGregor, Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism; Ontario lawmaker Deepak Anand; Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown; Councillor Rod Power; and Charmaine Williams, Ontario Minister of Women and Economic Opportunities.
First Investment Forum of Its Kind
This is the first investment-focused forum organized by the Federal Government through NiDCOM to promote economic ties between Nigeria and its diaspora community. Nigeria ranks among Africa's largest recipients of diaspora remittances, with annual inflows running into billions of dollars, according to the World Bank.
The conference comes shortly after Ontario's new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream opened to eligible foreign nationals on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, offering pathways for higher-skilled workers, lower-skilled workers, and self-employed physicians. Candidates ranked under a points-based system must respond to invitations within 17 calendar days.
Additionally, Canada has identified eight high-growth companies eligible to sponsor skilled foreign professionals through a special work permit pathway, providing Nigerians with opportunities in AI, healthcare, and legal technology sectors.
