Tinubu to Diaspora: Return home, Nigeria is rising again
President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians in the diaspora to return home, saying the country is “rising again” and open for their ideas and investment.
He made the call at a town hall meeting in Yokohama before departing Japan for Brazil, the second leg of his two-nation diplomatic mission to strengthen Nigeria’s global partnerships and attract investment into key sectors of the economy.
The president left Japan on Thursday evening aboard a long-haul flight, with a scheduled stopover in Los Angeles before arriving in Brasilia on August 24 for the start of a state visit.
Tinubu began the trip on August 15 when he departed Abuja, with his delegation making a brief stop in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, before arriving in Yokohama on August 18.
Focus On Investment And Technology
During the past week, Tinubu took part in the opening ceremony and plenary of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) on August 20, where he joined African leaders and Japan’s prime minister, Fumio Kishida, to discuss investment and sustainable growth.
Beyond the conference halls, his schedule was filled with bilateral meetings with Japanese officials, business leaders, and development partners. According to State House officials, the talks centred on technology transfer, renewable energy, industrial development, and infrastructure financing.
Khalil Halilu, executive vice-chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), said:
“Within a year, we’ve received over 1,000 applications for technology transfer, including several from Japan. Just yesterday, we closed a nanotechnology deal that will see four new factories established in Nigeria. These are the types of partnerships the President’s visit is opening up.”
Engaging Nigerians In The Diaspora
Tinubu ended his engagements in Japan with a town hall meeting with Nigerians in the diaspora on Thursday night. He urged them to remain connected to the country and contribute to its reforms.
“Nigeria is open for business it’s open for your thinking and your doing. If you stay away, who will build it?” Tinubu asked.
He assured them that government reforms were stabilising the economy and reversing negative trends such as medical tourism.
Members of the Nigerian Union in Japan welcomed his remarks. Emeka Vincent Ebota, the union leader, said:
“We are encouraged by the President’s words. Many of us here are excelling in science, medicine, and technology, and we are willing to channel that expertise back home if the enabling environment continues to improve.”
Turning To Brazil
From Yokohama, the president now shifts focus to Brazil, Latin America’s largest economy and a country with strong cultural and historical ties to Nigeria.
“Japan represents advanced technology and infrastructure, while Brazil is a powerhouse in agriculture and energy,” said Abiodun Adedeji, an international relations expert. “By engaging both countries back-to-back, Tinubu is diversifying Nigeria’s partnerships beyond traditional Western allies and positioning Nigeria as a central player in both South-South and global cooperation.”
Talks in Brazil are expected to centre on trade, industrial cooperation, and energy security. With Brazil’s leading agribusiness sector, agricultural collaboration is anticipated to be a key highlight as Nigeria prioritises food security.
Energy is also on the agenda. “Brazil has achieved remarkable success in renewable energy, particularly biofuels,” said Tayo Akinlabi, an energy policy analyst. “Nigeria can learn from that model as it pushes reforms in its energy and mining sectors. This visit is an opportunity to translate lessons into concrete agreements.”
Building Confidence In Reforms
Supporters of the administration argue that reforms already undertaken in Nigeria, including fuel subsidy removal, exchange rate unification, and industrialisation efforts, provide a foundation for international cooperation.
Business leader Wale Tinubu, who joined the delegation in Japan, said:
“The private sector has responded positively. The Stock Exchange was the best-performing in Africa last year. We’re seeing diaspora investments rise, and with the kind of international engagements the President is driving, confidence will only deepen.”
For Nigerians in Japan, the president’s visit carried symbolic weight. Kevich, a Nigerian medical doctor pursuing a master’s degree in public health in Tokyo, said:
“Just seeing the President engage with us directly was motivating. It reassures us that our efforts abroad are recognised and that we remain part of the national story.”
Resetting Foreign Policy
Presidential aides describe the Japan-Brazil mission as part of a broader reset in Nigeria’s foreign policy. The strategy, they said, is to diversify alliances and attract investment from both developed and emerging economies.
“The President’s back-to-back visits to Japan and Brazil show a deliberate effort to expand Nigeria’s partnerships,” said a senior State House official. “Japan brings technology and infrastructure, Brazil brings agricultural expertise and a shared developing-country perspective. Together, they represent two critical pillars of Nigeria’s growth strategy.”
As Tinubu heads to Brasilia on August 24, expectations are high that new agreements will be signed on trade, energy, and education. Even before the first handshake in Brazil, the message from Abuja is clear: Nigeria is seeking allies across continents to build a stronger future.
