Nigerian Diaspora Direct Investment Summit to host two-day London ICT seminar in August

INVESTMENT promotion vehicle the Nigerian Direct Diaspora Investment Summit (NDDIS) is planning to organise a seminar titled Computer Village and Information Communication Technology Summit in London between August 26 and 27.

Designed to encourage diasporans to invest in the Nigerian information communication technology (ICT) sector, the seminar will pull together potential investors and government officials. Oludare Folowosele, the trade and investment minister at the Nigerian high commission in London, has thrown his full weight behind the initiative, saying it will be very beneficial to the economy.

Mr Folowosele said: "We believe this summit will be very beneficial to the ICT sector in Nigeria and will be a big boost to the Nigerian economy. As a mission, we will continue to partner with the NDDIS to attract investments into Nigeria."

NDDIS's ambitious programme will get going with an evening of networking that involves a cocktail reception at the banqueting hall of the Nigerian High Commission on August 26. It will be declared open by the new Nigerian high commissioner to the UK, Ambassador Sarafat Ishola and speakers will include the British Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria, Mrs Helen Grant MP, the Nigerian Diaspora Commission (Nidcom) chairman Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa and other business leaders.

This will be followed, the next day with the main summit, exhibition and deal room meetings that will bring together a unique mixture of large and medium financial, telecommunications, e-commerce, computer accessories manufacturing companies. Exhibition stands and deal rooms will run parallel with the summit, providing delegates with the chance to strike deals in a business-to-business environment.

High profile government officials, computer accessory manufacturers, suppliers, exporters, IT experts and investors and other speakers will present investment and business opportunities to a large audience. After the heavy duty business discussions, the event will be rounded up with an exclusive dinner and dance party at five star hotel in central London.

NDDIS founder Otunba Bimbo Roberts Folayan revealed that his association has entered into collaboration with the Computer Village Market Management Board and is in talks with the London mission, the Office of the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria, the UK Department of International Trade, Nidcom, the Federal Ministry of Communication and the Lagos, Kano, Nasarawa and Ogun state governments, as well as the Federal Capital Territory administration.

He added that the aim is to organise a world class investment summit in London that will  attract international investors, computer accessories manufacturers, suppliers, exporters and IT experts to invest in Nigeria's Computer Village. According to Otunba Folayan, Nigeria has the largest ICT market in Africa and this potential needs to be tapped into.

Among those being invited to participate in the event include the National Assembly committees on ICT and Telecommunications, diaspora and international investors, telecommunication giants, exporters, bankers and IT professionals. David Smith, the chair of the British African Business Alliance and the chairman of the NDDIS steering committee, added that  attracting investment into Nigeria's ICT sector will significantly enhance capacity building in the country.

NDDIS was established to help Nigerians in diaspora and other international business leaders and companies that are keen to expand their investment portfolios to Nigeria It was also set-up to identify potential sources of finance, technology and technical skills that could boost the promotion and stimulation of enterprise and the creation of jobs in wider Nigeria.

Meanwhile, NDDIS has announced the appointment of Otunba Biodun Ajiboye as its Nigerian liaison director with a mandate to strengthen its operations in the country. Otunba Ajiboye, who joins the 35-member committee of experts, will mobilise participation of important stakeholders from Nigeria.