Abia Targets Diaspora Investments, Skills Transfer At December Homecoming

Abia State is set to leverage its Diaspora Global Homecoming to attract investments, facilitate knowledge transfer and create international markets for locally produced goods as the state prepares to welcome indigenes living abroad from December 18 to 21, 2026.

The programme, being organised by the Abia State Diaspora Commission, is expected to strengthen connections between Abians at home and abroad while providing opportunities for business partnerships, professional collaboration and community development.

The Chief Executive Officer and Executive Secretary of the commission, Rev. Dr. Ambassador Annie Onu, disclosed this during a press conference, where she outlined the objectives of the homecoming and highlighted the commission’s broader responsibilities towards Abians living outside the country.

Onu said the initiative would enable Abians in the diaspora to witness developments in their home state, assess the achievements of the present administration and identify practical ways of contributing their knowledge, skills and resources to the state’s progress.

She explained that the gathering would also provide an avenue for returning indigenes to interact with local entrepreneurs, farmers and other stakeholders, exchange business ideas and explore investment opportunities.

“Activities would commence on December 18 with a solidarity walk, followed by engagements with local content providers and organic farmers, while the grand finale on December 21 would feature an interaction with Governor Alex Otti,” she said.

Onu expressed optimism that the event would strengthen the relationship between the government and Abians abroad, noting that many professionals in the diaspora were eager to contribute to development in their homeland.

“We have professionals and highly skilled Abians doing great things in different parts of the world. They are eager to bring their knowledge and expertise back home so that they can contribute to the development of Abia in different capacities,” she said.

Onu explained that the interaction with Governor Otti would provide participants with an opportunity to discuss areas where their expertise and resources could support the state’s development agenda.

She noted that Abians abroad had acquired valuable professional experience in different fields and could contribute through investments, technical support, partnerships and other forms of collaboration.

The CEO also identified improved air connectivity as an important area of interest, explaining that the diaspora community could explore ways of supporting efforts to achieve the state’s airport ambitions.

According to her, improved air connectivity would strengthen Abia’s relationship with the international community and create opportunities for investment and economic activities.

She called on residents to prepare to receive returning indigenes warmly and engage them in discussions that could produce practical solutions to community needs.

Onu said the success of the homecoming would depend on the collective participation of the government, residents and the diaspora community.

Beyond the homecoming activities, Onu said the commission was determined to promote locally produced goods by connecting farmers and entrepreneurs with Abians abroad who could help open up international markets.

She explained that the planned engagement with local content providers and organic farmers would focus on showcasing indigenous products, improving their presentation and identifying opportunities for export.

Among the products she mentioned were turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, plantain, beans, garri and bitter kola, which she said could attract greater commercial value if properly processed, packaged and marketed.

She noted that Abia producers could benefit from the purchasing power and international connections of diaspora participants, particularly where locally produced goods were presented in ways that met market expectations.

“We don’t want our products and our image to be poorly presented,” she said, stressing the need to guide local producers on proper packaging and presentation.

“Farmers and entrepreneurs would be encouraged to understand the value of their products, improve their packaging and provide information about their uses and benefits to potential buyers,” she said.

She added that better product presentation could enable diaspora participants to purchase goods for overseas markets, creating additional income for local producers and contributing to foreign exchange generation.

According to her, the objective is to ensure that products available in Abia can compete favourably with goods purchased from foreign markets.

She also identified opportunities in locally made shoes, bags and other products, noting that local entrepreneurs needed guidance on branding, packaging and presentation to improve their competitiveness.

The commission’s chief executive also used the occasion to explain the wider responsibilities of the Abia State Diaspora Commission, particularly its efforts to protect the welfare of indigenes living or seeking opportunities outside Nigeria.

She said the commission was working to ensure that Abians travelling abroad for education, employment, business or other purposes received appropriate guidance and were better informed about the conditions awaiting them in their destinations.

“The commission seeks to help prospective travellers verify relevant information before departure, including the legitimacy of opportunities presented to them, the conditions attached to their admission or employment and the suitability of their travel arrangements,” she said.

Onu disclosed that one of the commission’s early initiatives after her appointment was to establish relationships with foreign embassies to strengthen communication and promote the interests of Abians abroad.

She said such engagements were intended to ensure that the state could intervene appropriately when concerns affecting its citizens were brought to its attention.

The commission, she added, was also concerned about cases in which people were misled by employment agents or promised opportunities that did not match the visas issued to them.

She therefore urged residents, particularly young people, to seek proper guidance before travelling abroad to avoid exploitation and other difficulties.

“The commission is here to ensure that our people are well looked after wherever they are. Before you travel, let us know so that we can guide you and help you make the right decisions,” she explained.

Onu cautioned young people against seeking quick success through questionable means, urging them to embrace legitimate opportunities, develop their skills and seek mentorship from experienced professionals.

“You cannot afford to kill your tomorrow because of today,” she warned, encouraging young people to prioritise their future and make decisions that would support their long-term progress.

She said the commission was also planning workshops and seminars to create greater awareness of its activities and educate residents on safe migration, legitimate opportunities abroad and the services available to them.

Onu further disclosed that the commission was working towards establishing chapters in different locations where Abians reside around the world.