Akwa Ibom Airport Commences International Operations With Maiden Flight To Ghana

Today, the people of Akwa Ibom State rolled out the drums, once again, in celebration of a milestone achievement with the completion of the international terminal and the commencement of international operations at the Victor Attah International Airport.

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The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, was on ground, and officially declared the airport ready for international operations.

Ibom Air

The State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, expressed satisfaction with the development, saying, “I am indeed proud to be an Akwa Ibomite.”

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NISER, NiDCOM Validate Diaspora Study To Strengthen Policy Framework For National Development

The Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), in collaboration with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has commenced the validation workshop for a major diaspora study titled, “A Six-Continent Survey of Nigerian Professionals in Diaspora: Policy Measures for Harnessing Contributions to National Development.”

The workshop, held at BON Hotel, Octagon, Jahi, Abuja, brought together key stakeholders, policymakers, members of the National Assembly Committees, diaspora experts, professional bodies, development partners, members of the media, and representatives from relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to deliberate on strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s engagement with its diaspora community and maximizing their contributions to national development.

Delivering her welcome address, the Director-General of NISER, Antonia Taiye Simbine, described the study as a critical step toward evidence-based policymaking and sustainable diaspora engagement.

She stated that the validation workshop reflects the collective commitment of stakeholders to advancing Nigeria’s development through informed engagement with the diaspora community, noting that the large turnout of experts and partners underscores the importance of the exercise and the value attached to evidence-driven policymaking.

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Simbine explained that NISER, as Nigeria’s foremost policy research institution, is mandated to provide rigorous, evidence-based policy recommendations that address critical socio-economic challenges confronting the country. She said the Institute works closely with relevant MDAs as well as national and international partners in fulfilling this mandate.

According to her, the diaspora study aligns directly with NISER’s core responsibility of providing policy solutions to national development challenges and was undertaken in partnership with NiDCOM as part of a shared commitment to leveraging research for national progress.

She noted that Nigeria’s diaspora community remains one of the country’s most strategic assets, contributing significantly through annual remittances exceeding 20 billion US dollars, making Nigeria one of Africa’s top remittance-receiving countries.

Beyond remittances, she emphasized that Nigerians abroad contribute immensely through knowledge transfer, skills development, innovation, technology transfer, specialist expertise, mentorship, and international networks that continue to support Nigeria’s economic growth and global competitiveness.

However, she pointed out that despite this enormous potential, several challenges continue to hinder effective diaspora engagement, including policy inconsistencies, limited institutional coordination, trust deficits, regulatory bottlenecks, and inadequate frameworks for channeling diaspora expertise into national priorities.

Simbine explained that the study was conceived to provide empirical insights into the dynamics of diaspora engagement and to propose practical and implementable policy measures for better integration of diaspora contributions into Nigeria’s national development agenda.

She further stated that the validation workshop is expected to refine and strengthen the study’s findings through expert input, enhance stakeholder consensus on critical diaspora-related issues, generate actionable strategies, and support the development of an improved framework for integrating diaspora professionals into national planning and implementation.

She urged participants to actively engage in robust discussions, noting that the quality of deliberations and stakeholder contributions would significantly influence the final output of the study and shape future diaspora policies in meaningful ways.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the Nigerian diaspora as one of the most vibrant, intelligent, resourceful, and globally exposed communities across Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe, and Oceania.

She stated that Nigerians in the diaspora continue to break barriers across medicine, science and technology, public service, entrepreneurship, as well as the orange and blue economies, making them critical stakeholders in Nigeria’s development journey.

Dabiri-Erewa explained that the workshop provides a strategic opportunity to assess diaspora contributions, identify challenges, and explore stronger opportunities for engagement and investment.

NiDCOM

She stressed that for NiDCOM, the focus remains on moving from remittances beyond consumption to remittances for investment, where diaspora contributions are strategically directed toward sustainable development, wealth creation, and national transformation.

According to her, the thematic focus of the validation workshop is clear: to professionally interrogate the findings of the six-continent survey for authenticity, accuracy, and relevance, while jointly refining the policy recommendations to serve as a practical roadmap and framework for engaging Nigeria’s global diaspora.

She highlighted key areas requiring urgent attention, including structured diaspora engagement, streamlined policy coordination and coherence, creation of investment-friendly ecosystems, technology transfer and innovation, and the development of comprehensive data-driven policies.

The NiDCOM Chairman further urged stakeholders to use the platform to reduce brain drain, actualize brain gain, and foster brain circulation for the benefit of national development.

Also speaking, the Head of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Abuja Office, Mr. Adamu Yusuf, commended the initiative and described the validation workshop as a significant step toward harnessing the immense potential, expertise, and contributions of the diaspora community.

He noted that the validation process reflects a collective commitment to ensuring that the study outcomes are credible, inclusive, and reflective of stakeholder realities and aspirations.

Yusuf emphasised that the diaspora remains a vital partner in knowledge transfer, investment, innovation, institutional growth, and sustainable development.

He encouraged participants to engage openly, contribute constructively, and generate practical recommendations that will strengthen the final report and support effective implementation of its outcomes.

He also commended the organisers, facilitators, researchers, and participants for their dedication and collaborative spirit in advancing the initiative.

Speaking on behalf of the President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Prof. Bala Mohammed Audu, represented by Dr. Liman Idris Mohammed, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at National Hospital Abuja, underscored the importance of diaspora collaboration in strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system and professional development.

Mohammed stated that the NMA places great importance on Nigerian medical practitioners in the diaspora and deeply appreciates their contributions toward improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

He noted that upon receiving the invitation to the workshop, the President of the NMA showed strong interest in the study and directed the Association to actively participate, recognising its relevance to the future of healthcare delivery in the country.

According to him, the findings of the workshop will be presented to the NMA President and carefully reviewed to determine how the recommendations can be applied within the Association and across the broader health sector to improve medical services in Nigeria.

He explained that even before the study was conceptualized, there were already practical examples of successful diaspora contributions to Nigeria’s healthcare sector. He cited the establishment of major medical facilities in Abuja and Lagos by Nigerian professionals who acquired expertise abroad and returned to invest in the country.

He also referenced a medical doctor from the Association who studied In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in the 1990s and successfully established the practice locally in Nigeria, noting that today IVF services are widely available across the country.

Mohammed stressed that Nigerian professionals often excel beyond the systems where they acquired their training, demonstrating the immense capacity and excellence of Nigerian medical practitioners globally.

He called for stronger utilisation of the expertise of Nigerian medical professionals abroad, emphasising the need for continuous knowledge exchange, professional collaboration, and what he described as “the circulation of skills” between home and the diaspora.

E-signed
Abdur-Rahman Balogun mnipr
Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols (NIDCOM) Abuja.

FG Applauds Saudi Arabia For 50-Students Petroleum Scholarship Offer, Reaffirms Strong Bilateral Ties

The Federal Government of Nigeria has commended the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for offering fully funded scholarships to 50 Nigerian students in petroleum and mineral studies, describing the gesture as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s human capital development and a testament to the enduring bilateral relationship between both nations.

The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the commendation while receiving the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria, Yousef Bin Mohammed Al-Balawi, during a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja on Monday, 27 April, 2026.

Speaking during the meeting, the Minister expressed Nigeria’s deep appreciation for the scholarship initiative, noting that it aligns with the Federal Government’s priority to strengthen critical sectors of the economy through capacity building. “This is not just a scholarship programme; it is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future, particularly in key sectors such as petroleum and solid minerals that are central to our economic growth and diversification,” the Minister stated.

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He highlighted the significance of the initiative, noting that the programme is expected to be sustained annually, thereby creating a long-term impact. “The fact that this initiative is designed to be continuous, with 50 Nigerian students benefiting year after year, makes it even more impactful. It guarantees a steady pipeline of skilled professionals for our critical industries,” he said.

Idris further assured Ambassador Al-Balawi of Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and to fast-tracking existing agreements between the two countries. “We are committed as a government to deepening this partnership and ensuring that all existing agreements, including the pending Memoranda of Understanding in broadcasting and other sectors, are fully implemented for mutual benefit,” he said.

The Minister also used the occasion to convey Nigeria’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia amid ongoing tensions in the Gulf region, expressing hope for peace and stability. “Let me also take this opportunity, on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, to express our solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at this time of tensions in the Gulf region. We sincerely hope for continued peace, stability, and diplomatic resolution of all issues,” he stated.

Earlier in his remarks, Ambassador Al-Balawi conveyed the Saudi leadership’s appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his show of solidarity, noting that it reflects the strength of relations between the two nations.

He announced that the scholarship offer was conveyed through an official communication from the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, and that the package includes tuition, travel tickets, accommodation, and monthly stipends. “This initiative reflects the genuine and strong relationship between Saudi Arabia and Nigeria. It is about real cooperation and real investment in the future of Nigerian youth,” Ambassador Al-Balawi said.

Saudi Arabia

Ambassador Al-Balawi also highlighted ongoing efforts to expand economic cooperation, particularly in trade and investment, describing Nigeria and Saudi Arabia as key regional economic powers with vast partnership potential.

Those present at the meeting were the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Dr. Binyerem C. Ukaire; the Director, Public Communications and National Orientation, Barr. Henshaw Ogubike, the Director, Production, Publications and Documentary, Mr. Okunnu Ibidapo; the Director, Public Relations and Protocol, Dr. Suleiman Haruna, alongside other senior officials of the Ministry.

Rabiu Ibrahim, mnipr

Special Assistant (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation

27th April, 2026