The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri- Erewa, has charged graduates of Lagos State University (LASU) to pursue excellence, remain connected to Nigeria and use their global exposure to contribute to national development.
Dabiri-Erewa gave the charge on Tuesday while delivering the convocation lecture at LASU’s 29th and 30th Convocation Ceremonies.
The lecture was titled, “From LASU to the World: Harnessing the Nigerian Diaspora as the 7th Region for National Development.”
Addressing the graduating students, she urged them to think globally but remain firmly rooted in their Nigerian identity.
According to her, opportunities abroad should be used to acquire knowledge, build strategic networks and create partnerships that can ultimately benefit the country.
She described the Nigerian diaspora as the nation’s “7th Region”—a vast and influential community endowed with skills, expertise, investments, innovation and international networks capable of driving meaningful development in Nigeria.
Dabiri-Erewa said the growing global presence of Nigerians presented enormous opportunities for the country, especially when the knowledge, experiences and resources acquired abroad were channelled towards nation-building.
The NiDCOM chief, who received an honorary doctorate from LASU in 2023, challenged the graduates to measure success not only by their personal achievements but also by the positive impact they make on society.
She encouraged them to deploy their skills, knowledge and networks through investments, mentorship, knowledge transfer, innovation and partnerships.
Her central message to the graduating class was succinct: “Be Useful, Visible and Nigerian.”
She urged them to serve as positive ambassadors of Nigeria wherever they found themselves, remain connected to their homeland and remember to give back to the society that shaped them.
“Wherever you go, remain connected to Nigeria, make an impact and remember to give back,” she told the graduates.
