Dabiri-Erewa Backs Nigeria-Saudi Investment Summit

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has described the forthcoming Nigeria-Saudi Diaspora Investment and Tourism Exhibition Summit as a strategic platform for strengthening economic relations between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia through increased investment and business collaboration.

Dabiri-Erewa made the remarks during a pre-event media conference held at the NiDCOM headquarters in Abuja ahead of the second edition of the summit, according to a statement issued by the commission on Friday.

Represented by NiDCOM Secretary, Dr. Sule Yakubu Bassi, the NiDCOM boss said the exhibition would help address misconceptions about investment opportunities in both countries while creating avenues for stronger bilateral cooperation.

She noted that the summit, themed “The Misconceptions, Challenges, and Opportunities in Investing in Saudi Arabia and Nigeria Today,” would provide investors and businesses with a better understanding of both markets.

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Recalling the success of the inaugural edition held in 2019, which attracted more than 30 Saudi Arabian companies, Dabiri-Erewa said the initiative had continued to promote economic engagement between the two countries.

She described the exhibition as “a timely initiative” that would strengthen investment relations between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia while creating opportunities for businesses, investors and other stakeholders.

The NiDCOM chairman also commended the organisers, Al Yaro International Limited, for their sustained efforts in promoting investment visibility for individuals, companies and entrepreneurs in both countries.

Also speaking, the Head of Technology Transfer, Innovation and Investment at NiDCOM, Abdulrahman Terab, said the exhibition was carefully designed to deepen participants’ understanding of the investment climate in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

He observed that although both countries have enjoyed longstanding diplomatic, cultural and socio-economic relations, there was a need to translate those ties into stronger economic partnerships.

According to him, the summit will provide opportunities for participants to explore investment prospects in sectors including real estate, agriculture, technology transfer, trade and tourism.

Terab urged Nigerians and other stakeholders to take advantage of the event to establish meaningful business relationships and expand investment opportunities.

Speaking on the forthcoming exhibition, one of the organisers, Muhammed Umar Yaro, announced that the summit would hold on August 4 and 5, 2026, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.

He said the event was designed to unlock investment opportunities and provide a platform for policymakers, investors and business leaders to discuss ways of strengthening Nigeria-Saudi Arabia trade and commercial relations.

Yaro disclosed that the two-day exhibition is expected to feature more than 100 exhibitors, 5,000 visitors and participants across 20 investment sectors.

He said discussions would focus on critical sectors such as energy, agriculture, real estate, tourism and manufacturing, while encouraging interested participants to register for the event.

Yaro also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and the NiDCOM chairman for their continued support towards the success of the initiative.

The exhibition is being organised by Al Yaro International Company in collaboration with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Almanafie, the Association of Nigerians in Diaspora, Saudi Arabia (ANDiSA), and Suruh Alhijaz, the statement added.