THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
Nigeria has officially launched a programme designed to connect Nigerian professionals abroad with universities, polytechnics and other tertiary institutions in their homeland. The Diaspora BRIDGE is a cornerstone of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at harnessing global talent to elevate educational standards and drive institutional transformation in Nigeria.
At the Abuja launch ceremony on Tuesday (29 July), Vice‑President Kashim Shettima hailed the initiative as “a deliberate and commendable effort to align global expertise with national priorities.” The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, stressed that the scheme goes beyond ad‑hoc consulting. “Our goal is to systematically reconnect with Nigerian professionals abroad and make their expertise accessible to our institutions,” he explained, noting seamless integration with TETFund’s TERAS system for transparent tracking of collaborative projects.
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), called the programme a timely intervention that enables diaspora experts to mentor, collaborate and contribute meaningfully to national development. “BRIDGE gives us the infrastructure to turn intention into action. Every young Nigerian deserves the chance to learn from the best minds, whether they are within our borders or beyond them,” she said. She also encouraged diaspora professionals to participate actively by mentoring students, hosting workshops, donating equipment and partnering with institutions on collaborative projects.
Diaspora BRIDGE allows Nigerian diaspora professionals to register, upload credentials and indicate areas of interest – guest lecturing, mentorship, curriculum design, joint research or virtual seminars. Domestic institutions identify their needs and request appropriate support. “The BRIDGE marks a new chapter in how government can engage Nigerians abroad meaningfully,” Minister of State for Education, Prof Suwaiba Ahmed remarked at the event.
The initiative shifts focus from traditional reliance on remittances, which in 2024 surpassed US$21 billion, to structured knowledge exchange. According to development scholars, tapping into the diaspora’s skills network is a proven engine for national progress when deployed through coordinated platforms.
State governors and institutional leaders across Nigeria have welcomed Diaspora BRIDGE as transformative, especially for under-resourced universities. With mechanisms for measurable outcomes and mutual accountability, the programme promises a sustainable path to elevated research capacity, improved teaching quality and stronger institutions.
Kola Tella
Visit Diaspora BRIDGE at https://diaspora-bridge.ng/
