President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged Nigerians in the Diaspora to return home and contribute to nation-building, declaring that Nigeria is “on the rise again” under his leadership.
Speaking on Thursday at the Kahala Hotel and Resort in Yokohama, Japan, during an interactive session with members of the Nigerian community on the sidelines of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), President Tinubu said the country’s growth and development cannot be left to the government alone.
“I am happy to listen to you. I’m happy to report that many of our people are returning home. Yes, for economic reasons, some people might decide to stay away; it’s a fundamental right of the individual, but for the economic growth and opportunity available in Nigeria, don’t stay away. Your contribution is very much needed. If you stay away, who will build it?” the President asked.
The meeting brought together Nigerian professionals, entrepreneurs, and students living in Japan. Tinubu described them as a “vibrant representation” of the nation’s diversity, stressing that leadership is about “thinking and doing”—merging visionary ideas with concrete actions to ensure stability, unity, and growth.
He highlighted improvements in passport issuance, healthcare reforms to curb medical tourism, and policy measures aimed at stabilising the economy, attracting investments, and creating jobs.
“National development requires a shared sense of responsibility between citizens at home and those abroad,” Tinubu added, urging them to be positive ambassadors of the country.
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Wale Tinubu, the President’s nephew, spoke on the economic reforms, noting their impact on competitiveness, investment inflows, and the stock market’s expansion. The Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Enoh, and NASENI’s executive vice chairman, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, also gave presentations on government programmes.
Responding, Emeka Ebogota, President of the Nigerian Union in Japan, commended Tinubu for engaging directly with the Diaspora community. “We affirm our support for the administration’s efforts to reposition Nigeria,” he said.
Other notable attendees included John Ologbotsere, recipient of Japan’s national award for electrotechnical standardisation; entrepreneur Kingsley Kabuyashi; as well as businesspeople, doctors, and students.
Tinubu was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar, Solid Minerals Minister Dele Alake, Regional Development Minister Abubakar Momoh, Science and Technology Minister Uche Nnaji, Budget Minister Atiku Bagudu, State Minister for Finance Doris Uzoka-Anite, and senior government officials.
The President reiterated that Nigeria’s future rests on the collective commitment of its citizens: “If we don’t join hands and work together, then we’ve lost the hope of being the leaders we are supposed to be.”