Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal and other Nigerian governors are expected to join senior Federal Government officials at the 2026 Nigeria Diaspora Economic Conference, NIDEC, in Toronto, Canada.
The conference, which is aimed at deepening investment, economic cooperation and diaspora engagement, is scheduled to hold from August 13 to 15, 2026, at the Apollo Convention Centre in Toronto (Mississauga), Canada.
The Zamfara State Government, in a statement issued on Sunday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, said Governor Lawal would participate in the summit as part of Nigeria’s delegation to the high-level economic gathering.
The conference, organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, is themed “Invest Nigeria, Thrive Abroad” and is expected to bring together government officials, investors, entrepreneurs, financial institutions, development partners and Nigerian professionals in the diaspora.
NiDCOM had earlier said the conference was designed to move diaspora engagement beyond consumption-driven remittances towards sustainable investments capable of generating jobs, transferring technology and supporting long-term economic development.
According to the Zamfara Government, Governor Lawal’s participation is expected to provide an opportunity to showcase investment opportunities in the state and attract capital, technical expertise and strategic partnerships.
The state government described the conference as more than a diplomatic engagement, saying it would use the platform to promote Zamfara as an emerging destination for investment in agribusiness, strategic minerals, human capital development and digital innovation.
“The Zamfara State Government sees NIDEC as more than just a diplomatic event; it is a strategic economic mission to attract investment, technology transfer, development funding, and technical partnerships to drive the State’s economic transformation,” Mr Idris said.
He said the governor’s participation would also help position Zamfara within broader Nigeria-Canada economic cooperation and expose the state’s investment opportunities to international investors and development partners.
The conference is expected to focus on several sectors considered critical to Nigeria’s economic transformation, including fintech and digital innovation, agriculture and agro-processing, mining, renewable energy, infrastructure, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, real estate, banking and capital markets.
The organisers have also planned business-to-business matchmaking, investment engagements and strategic partnerships, with the aim of facilitating concrete investment opportunities and agreements.
NiDCOM said the conference would provide opportunities for state governments with bankable projects, Nigerian entrepreneurs, financial institutions and diaspora professionals to engage investors and explore funding and technical partnerships.
The Nigerian delegation is expected to include the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo; Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum; Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani; and Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang.
Others listed are the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole; and Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, among other senior government officials.
The conference is being organised in collaboration with the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa and the Canadian High Commission in Abuja.
NiDCOM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, had said Nigerians in the diaspora contribute more than $20 billion annually to the Nigerian economy, stressing the need to channel a greater proportion of diaspora resources and expertise into sustainable investments.
She said the conference would connect diaspora professionals and investors directly with investment-ready opportunities in Nigeria.
“Beyond the significant financial contributions, our diaspora community brings skills, knowledge, and global exposure that are vital to Nigeria’s growth,” Mrs Dabiri-Erewa said.
She added that NIDEC 2026 was designed to deliver measurable outcomes through business-to-business matchmaking, direct partnerships and the signing of memoranda of understanding.
The conference will also form part of a wider week-long celebration of Nigerian culture and excellence in Canada, including the Flavours of Nigeria Festival and the first Canadian staging of the HEADIES Honors, according to NiDCOM.
