Nigeria is a country blessed with many talented and hardworking people who have excelled in various fields of endeavour. Some of these Nigerians have left their homeland to pursue their dreams and aspirations in other parts of the world, but they have never forgotten their roots and their love for their country. They have used their skills, knowledge, and influence to make a difference in the world and to promote the interests and development of Nigeria.
These Nigerians are the diaspora, and they are a source of pride and inspiration for millions of Nigerians at home and abroad. To celebrate and appreciate their remarkable achievements, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has instituted the National Diaspora Merit Award, which is conferred on deserving Nigerians in the diaspora who have distinguished themselves in their various fields of endeavour and contributed to the development of Nigeria.
The award ceremony was held on July 26, 2023, at the State House Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, as part of the National Diaspora Day 2023. The theme of the event was “Consolidating Diaspora Engagement for National Development”. The event was attended by dignitaries, government officials, captains of industry, members of the diplomatic community, and representatives of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) from across the world.
Among the awardees were three Nigerian global icons who have made Nigeria proud on the international stage. They are:
- Amina J. Mohammed, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations. She is the highest-ranking Nigerian in the UN system and has been instrumental in advancing the UN’s agenda on sustainable development, peace and security, human rights, humanitarian affairs, and gender equality. She has also been a strong advocate for Nigeria’s interests and priorities at the global level. She was previously Nigeria’s Minister of Environment and Special Adviser to former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Post-2015 Development Planning.
- Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director General of the World Trade Organization. She is the first woman and the first African to lead the WTO, which is the global body that regulates international trade and commerce. She has a wealth of experience in economic development, finance, trade, and diplomacy, having served as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Foreign Minister, and Managing Director of the World Bank. She has also been involved in several global initiatives on health, education, climate change, and debt relief.
- Akinwumi Adesina, the President of the African Development Bank Group. He is the first Nigerian to head the AfDB, which is Africa’s premier development finance institution. He has been a visionary leader and a champion of Africa’s transformation agenda, focusing on areas such as agriculture, energy, industrialization, regional integration, and human capital development. He has also mobilized significant resources and partnerships for Africa’s development from within and outside the continent. He was formerly Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.
These three Nigerians have received numerous accolades and honors for their outstanding work and leadership. They have also been recognized by reputable international organizations such as Time Magazine, Forbes Magazine, Foreign Policy Magazine, Fortune Magazine, The Economist Magazine, The Guardian Newspaper, BBC News, CNN News, among others.
The National Diaspora Merit Award is a fitting tribute to these three global icons who have shown that Nigerians can excel in any field and any part of the world. They have also demonstrated that Nigerians can contribute to national development from wherever they are in the world. They have set an example for other Nigerians in the diaspora to follow and emulate.
We congratulate them on this well-deserved award and we wish them more success in their future endeavors.
