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.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with the migration of doctors and nurses, this year’s National Diaspora Day will focus on how medical professionals abroad can help strengthen the country’s healthcare system. Nigerians around the world are invited to participate online in the two-day event.
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The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has invited Nigerians living around the world to participate virtually in the 2026 National Diaspora Day Celebrations, a two-day event that will focus on mobilising the expertise of Nigerian health professionals overseas to support the country’s healthcare system.
The event, which takes place on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 July at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, carries the theme: “Harnessing Global Diaspora Medical Expertise to Strengthen Local Health Systems for National Development.”
Although registration for physical attendance has closed, the organisers are encouraging Nigerians abroad to join the proceedings online, via a registration link (provided at the end of this article) that provides a personal live-stream access code.
National Diaspora Day, observed annually by NiDCOM, recognises the contributions of millions of Nigerians living overseas, whose remittances, investments, professional expertise and humanitarian initiatives play an increasingly important role in the country’s development. According to the World Bank, Nigeria consistently ranks among the world’s largest recipients of diaspora remittances, receiving about 20 billion dollars annually. These financial transfers have become a vital source of household income and foreign exchange.
This year’s focus on healthcare reflects growing concern over the migration of Nigerian doctors, nurses and other medical professionals. Thousands have relocated in recent years to countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States, Canada and Saudi Arabia in search of better working conditions and career opportunities. While the trend has contributed to shortages in Nigeria’s health sector, it has also created a highly skilled global network that many experts believe can be better harnessed for national development.
Rather than viewing migration solely as a loss, the conference will explore ways diaspora professionals can contribute through specialist medical missions, telemedicine, knowledge exchange, training, research partnerships and investment in health infrastructure. These initiatives have become increasingly important as digital technologies make cross-border collaboration easier than ever.
The programme will also include a Youth Summit on Saturday, providing a platform for young Nigerians to discuss innovation, leadership and national development. The celebrations will conclude with the Nigerian Diaspora Merit Awards, recognising outstanding Nigerians abroad for their contributions to the country’s progress, followed by a musical performance by Nigerian artist 9ice.
For Nigerians in the diaspora, the event offers an opportunity not only to reconnect with developments at home but also to contribute ideas on one of Nigeria’s most pressing development challenges. Participation is free, and interested readers can register online to receive a personal link to the live broadcast.
Registration for the livestream is open now. Click HERE to register
Kola Tella
