Fidelity Bank Hosts Diaspora Summit 2026, Onyeali-Ikpe, Dabiri-Erewa, Rewane Advocate Stronger Diaspora Role in Nigeria’s Economy
Top financial and policy leaders have called for stronger participation of Nigerians in the diaspora in driving economic growth and investment in Nigeria, as Fidelity Bank Plc hosted its Fidelity Diaspora Summit 2026, a global virtual forum aimed at helping Nigerians abroad navigate new policies and unlock investment opportunities back home.
The summit, held virtually on Saturday, March 14, 2026, brought together Nigerians living across major diaspora markets including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada and the United Arab Emirates. The engagement focused on the theme: “Navigating the New Tax Policy and Unlocking Investment Opportunities in Nigeria.”
Speaking during her welcome address, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Nneka Onyeali‑Ikpe, emphasized the crucial role Nigerians abroad play in projecting the country’s global reputation and driving economic value.
According to her, diaspora Nigerians do far more than remit funds home, noting that they also export Nigeria’s enterprise and expertise into global sectors such as healthcare, technology, research, and business.
She said many analysts describe the diaspora as Nigeria’s “thirty-seventh state,” a description she said reflects their scale of influence and economic impact.
Delivering the keynote address, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri‑Erewa, highlighted the growing contributions of diaspora Nigerians to national development. She noted that beyond remittances, diaspora citizens support Nigeria through skills transfer, investments, intellectual property and global exposure.
Dabiri-Erewa also commended Fidelity Bank Plc for providing a platform that connects Nigerians abroad with credible opportunities to invest in the country.
In a presentation on Nigeria’s macroeconomic outlook, the Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company, Bismarck Rewane, examined the country’s 2026 economic prospects and highlighted areas of opportunity for diaspora investors seeking sustainable returns.
Participants also received insights on Nigeria’s new tax framework from the Partner and Leader, Tax and Regulatory Services at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Chijioke Uwaegbute, who explained the implications of the new tax regime for Nigerians living abroad.
The second half of the summit focused on investment pathways in Nigeria. Chairman of Tekedia Capital, Ndubuisi Ekekwe, stressed the importance of working with credible partners and compliant channels to ensure sustainable returns for diaspora investors.
Tech entrepreneur and venture capitalist Ike Eze also shared insights on technology investments in Africa during a presentation titled “The Nigeria Tech Playbook, Funding Trends and Exit Strategy.”
The two-hour session ended with a panel discussion moderated by Rotus Oddiri, a business news anchor with ARISE News.
In his closing remarks, the Executive Director and Chief Operations and Information Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Stanley Amuchie, thanked participants and panelists for the engaging discussions and reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to providing seamless cross-border banking solutions for Nigerians in the diaspora.
He encouraged diaspora customers to leverage the bank’s diaspora banking products, including multi-currency accounts, secure authentication systems, dedicated support services, and digital tools designed for payments and savings across borders.
Ranked among Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, Fidelity Bank Plc serves over 10 million customers through its digital platforms, 255 business offices across Nigeria and its United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The bank has also received several local and international recognitions, including awards for digital transformation, mobile banking innovation and SME banking excellence.
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