United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) have held strategic talks to deepen collaboration on mobilising diaspora capital for national development, following the recent launch of UBA’s dedicated Diaspora Banking platform.
The meeting, hosted by UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, at the bank’s London office, was attended by NiDCOM’s Chairman/CEO, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and other officials. It centred on leveraging UBA’s global footprint to facilitate structured investment and wealth creation for Nigerians abroad, moving beyond traditional remittance channels.
Alawuba described the diaspora as a powerful economic force and “a generation of builders” shaping new narratives for Africa. He positioned UBA as a trusted partner equipped to support diaspora aspirations through its integrated platform, which offers seamless banking, investment, and financial management services for Nigerians overseas. “With UBA, you have a financial partner that is with you, that understands what you are going through,” he stated, urging diaspora communities to explore high-return opportunities across the continent.
Dabiri-Erewa commended UBA’s long-standing partnership and its new diaspora-focused initiative. She highlighted the importance of celebrating the success stories of Nigerians globally to counter negative perceptions and encourage constructive engagement. The meeting, she noted, signifies a critical alignment between public and private sectors to accelerate policies that boost diaspora participation in Nigeria’s economy.
Discussions emphasised UBA’s capacity to enable cross-border payments, connect diaspora enterprises to African markets, and unlock yield-bearing investments. With operations in 20 African countries and key Western hubs, UBA serves over 45 million customers and maintains a presence well-suited to channel diaspora funds into productive sectors.
The engagement underscores a coordinated effort to transform diaspora contributions from remittances into direct investment, supporting Nigeria’s broader economic growth agenda through formalised financial channels.
