Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

As Nigeria marks 66 years of independence, there are many stories of nation-building that deserve to be remembered, including the story of Nigerians who, while living thousands of miles from home, continued to invest their time, expertise, relationships, resources and influence in Nigeria.

One such story is that of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDO Europe), whose development over the years was shaped by successive leaders, executives, professionals, volunteers and supporters.

The story is not simply about who occupied the office of Continental Chairman. It is also about what many of those individuals did beyond the title — as entrepreneurs, investors, professionals, policy advocates, community leaders and Nigerians who continued to engage with their homeland.

President Olusegun Obasanjo: A Beginning for Organised Diaspora Engagement

Any history of organised Nigerian diaspora engagement must acknowledge the role of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

President Obasanjo

Under his administration, the Federal Government encouraged the establishment of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) in 2001 as an umbrella platform through which Nigerians abroad could organise and contribute to Nigeria’s national development.

For many Nigerians in the diaspora, this represented an important change in the relationship between Nigeria and its citizens abroad. Rather than seeing Nigerians overseas simply as sources of remittances, the conversation increasingly included their knowledge, networks, investment, professional expertise and participation in national development.

The eventual establishment of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) by an Act of the National Assembly gave that long-running aspiration a formal institutional framework.

Chairman NIDCOM – Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa

The Campaign Before Social Media

The journey from NIDO to formal government recognition did not happen overnight.

Successive NIDO leaders and members, including those who served in Europe, participated in consultations, policy discussions, meetings with government officials, conferences, advocacy and engagement around issues affecting Nigerians abroad.

The former Continental Chairmen were part of a wider leadership and membership network that advocated greater recognition of the Nigerian diaspora, including discussions around diaspora participation, investment, voting rights and institutional representation.

This was also an era before today’s social-media platforms could instantly amplify a campaign.

Much of the work involved physical meetings, letters, telephone calls, international travel, conferences, personal relationships and, in many cases, personal resources.

The emergence of dedicated diaspora committees within the National Assembly and the eventual establishment of NiDCOM formed part of a much longer journey towards giving Nigerians abroad a recognised voice in national affairs.

Six Continental Leaders – Six Different Contributions

Dr John C. George — Building Beyond Comfort

Dr. John George

Dr John C. George served as NIDO Europe Continental Board Chairman from 2006 to 2009. An entrepreneur and businessman associated with the Rotex Group (www.rotexglass.com) and other ventures, his story illustrates another dimension of diaspora contribution: taking knowledge and resources acquired abroad back into Nigeria.

His involvement in business and investment demonstrated that diaspora engagement could extend beyond organisational meetings into enterprise, employment and economic activity.

His period also helped consolidate NIDO Europe as an organised platform for Nigerians seeking to connect their professional and economic capacity with Nigeria.

Alistair Soyode — Visibility, Media and Global Diaspora Unity

From 2009 to 2011, Alistair Soyode served as Continental Chairman of NIDO Europe.

As founder of BEN Television, he brought a strong media and communications dimension to diaspora advocacy. During his tenure, he promoted greater visibility for NIDO and encouraged socio-economic partnerships between Nigerians abroad and institutions in Nigeria.

He also played a role in bringing together NIDO structures across different regions and strengthening the idea of a globally connected Nigerian diaspora.

His wider contribution has included media development, entrepreneurship, training and mentorship through (nidmecorp.com), through which thousands of people have gained exposure to media, business and leadership opportunities.

Hon. Collins Nweke: Policy, Advocacy and Reform

Cllr. Collins Nweke

Hon. Collins Nweke served as Continental Chairman from 2011 to 2013, following earlier senior roles within NIDO Europe.

His contribution was strongly connected to policy research, advocacy and institutional reform. He was involved in research and advocacy around out-of-country voting and contributed policy material to discussions with Nigerian lawmakers.

His work also reflected the broader evolution of the diaspora leader – from community organiser to policy adviser, elected representative and international development advocate.

His experience in Belgian public life further demonstrated how Nigerians in the diaspora could participate directly in governance while maintaining a strong interest in Nigeria’s development.

Dr George Manuwuike:  Technology, Investment and Economic Opportunity

Dr George Manuwuike served as Continental Board Chairman from 2014 to 2016.

A medical doctor, business consultant and investor, he represented another strand of diaspora leadership: using professional and commercial expertise to create economic opportunity.

His involvement in technology and fintech-related enterprise (NIBOX.NG) connected Nigerians to new forms of service delivery and commercial activity, demonstrating that diaspora contribution could take the form of innovation, investment and enterprise creation rather than advocacy alone.

Hon. Kenneth Gbandi — Diaspora Investment and Human Mobility

Hon. Kenneth Gbandi served as Continental Chairman from 2016 to 2020, having previously led NIDO Germany.

His tenure included strong engagement around migration, human trafficking, diaspora investment and housing. NIDO Europe’s diaspora housing and investment activities during this period reflected an effort to convert the financial and professional capacity of Nigerians abroad into productive investment in Nigeria.

He also became associated with the Nigerian Diaspora Global Hall of Fame initiative, which recognised personal and professional achievement alongside service and contribution to the organisation.

Dr Bashir Obasekola — Expanding the Diaspora Network

Dr Bashir Obasekola served as Continental Chairman from 2020 to 2024.

Dr. Bashir Obasekola

His journey began through NIDO Russia, where he played a significant role in building membership and expanding the organisation’s reach beyond Moscow into other parts of the Russian Federation. NIDO Russia records that he later became Continental Vice Chairman before eventually leading NIDO Europe.

His leadership represented another important part of the diaspora story — bringing Nigerians from professional, academic and business backgrounds into a wider organised network.

Under his continental leadership, NIDO Europe continued its engagement with national development issues and the wider Nigerian diaspora community.

And the Women Who Helped Build the Journey

The story of NIDO Europe cannot, however, be told through its Continental Chairmen alone.

Behind and alongside successive leaderships were many Nigerians – men and women – who gave their time, expertise, relationships and personal commitment to strengthening the organisation and the wider cause of diaspora engagement.

Two women whose contributions deserve particular recognition are Miss Lola Visser-Mabogunje and Stephania Alofuokhai-Ghogomu.

Miss Lola Visser-Mabogunje: Development, Policy and Institutional Leadership

Fondly known in diaspora circles as “Mama Holland”, Miss Lola Visser-Mabogunje is a Nigerian development management expert, policy specialist and institutional practitioner with decades of experience in policy design, performance management, monitoring and evaluation across Africa.

Ms. Lola Visser-Mabogunje

She served as an Adviser for Stakeholder Engagement to the former President of the African Development Bank Group, with work spanning strategic relationships, regional frameworks and youth entrepreneurship.

She has also served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the Chartered Management Institute in the UK and on the Board of Trustees of the Nigeria-Diaspora Awards Europe.

Her contribution extends beyond formal titles. She has remained a respected supporter and advocate for Nigerians and Nigerian development initiatives across generations.

Stephania Alofuokhai-Ghogomu: A Veteran Diaspora Organiser

Stephania Alofuokhai-Ghogomu, often known as Stephania Ghogomu, is a Nigerian-German businesswoman, consultant and community leader based in Berlin, Germany.

She is particularly recognised for her longstanding involvement and veteran leadership roles within NIDO.

Her journey represents an important part of the NIDO story that can sometimes be overlooked; the contribution of women who gave their time, organisational experience, professional knowledge and community networks to building diaspora structures and sustaining their activities.

Her continued association with the organisation reflects the commitment of many women who contributed not always from the most visible positions, but through sustained service, support and leadership.

The inclusion of these women is important because organisations are rarely built by one office-holder or one leadership team.

For every Continental Chairman, there were executives, chapter leaders, advisers, professionals, volunteers, women leaders, community organisers and ordinary members contributing their own time and resources.

Many travelled across countries, attended meetings, organised conferences, built networks, prepared policy documents, engaged governments and encouraged other Nigerians to participate.

Some contributed publicly. Others worked quietly.

Some held formal positions. Others simply believed strongly enough in the idea of a Nigerian diaspora with a recognised voice to give their time and resources to the cause.

That collective effort forms an essential part of the NIDO story.

Beyond the Organisation – The Bigger Nigerian Story

Perhaps the most important lesson from these former leaders is that their contribution to Nigeria did not begin and end with NIDO.

They were, and remain, entrepreneurs, investors, professionals, policy advocates, community organisers, media practitioners, consultants, educators and mentors.

Their contribution has therefore been measured not only by the offices they occupied, but by the relationships they built, the ideas they promoted, the businesses they created, the people they mentored, the resources they committed and the opportunities they helped open for others.

This is why the history of NIDO Europe should not be viewed simply as a succession of names and dates.

It is part of the larger history of Nigerians abroad gradually moving from being regarded principally as a source of remittances to being recognised as partners in national development.

Nigeria at 66: A Diaspora That Continues to Serve

Sixty-six years after independence, Nigeria’s relationship with its diaspora continues to evolve.

The structures are different. The technology is different. Social media has transformed communication. Government institutions now exist specifically to engage Nigerians abroad.

But the underlying principle remains the same: Nigerians outside the country remain part of the Nigerian story.

The history of NIDO Europe demonstrates that institutions are built over time; through leadership, disagreement, persistence, sacrifice, professional expertise, personal relationships and the willingness of ordinary people to contribute to something larger than themselves.

The six former Continental Chairmen represent important chapters in that story.

The women, executives, chapter leaders, professionals, volunteers and countless members represent many of the pages in between.

And the wider Nigerian diaspora remains part of the unfinished chapter –  contributing ideas, investment, knowledge, relationships and experience to a country they continue to call home.

Nigeria at 66 is therefore not only a celebration of the country within its borders. It is also a recognition of Nigerians everywhere who, in different ways, continue to contribute to the nation’s journey.

Nigeria — We Hail Thee. 🇳🇬