Nigerian Diaspora Direct Investment Summit, NDDIS, in London, has entered into collaboration with the ‘Computer Village Market Management Board’ in Lagos Nigeria.
The collaboration, according to the group, is to organise a world class investment summit in London, to attract Diaspora and international investors, computer and accessories manufacturers, suppliers, exporters and IT experts to invest into the ICT sector in Nigeria and the Computer Village in Nigeria, described as the largest ICT market in Africa.
At an online news briefing, the founder of NDDIS, Otunba Bimbo Folayan announced that talks are on with the Nigerian High Commission, Office of the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria, Department of International Trade in UK and Lagos, NIDCOM Nigerians in Diaspora Commission in Abuja, Ministry of Communications in Abuja, the Governments of Lagos, Kano, FCT, Nasarawa and Ogun States, the National Assembly committees on ICT and Telecommunications, Diaspora, International Investors and Bankers, UK based ICT Companies, TELCOS, IT Professionals and Exporters to be invited to this year’s Summit in London.
According to him, Nigeria’s Strength in London NDDIS are organising a world class investment summit in London that will attract investment, business partnership and collaboration between experts in the UK and in the largest ICT market in Africa, saying the Computer Village in Lagos, Nigeria and the larger Nigerian ICT sector.
Also speaking at the event, the NDDIS Steering Committee Chairman, David Smith, also Chairman of British African Business Alliance Ltd, stated that attracting investment into the ICT sector in Nigeria and especially into the Computer Village is expanding Africa’s Largest ICT Hub and helping to build capacity in the dynamic ICT industry in Nigeria.
Smith explained that the initiative started during the time of Dr Tafida as High Commissioner and is an opportunity to attract the Diaspora to invest in their country.
Also, NDDIS Nigerian Liaison Director, Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, says the continued growth of ICT is making a new case for investment and it has never been more crucial to build the capacity & sustainability of ICT in Nigeria to speed economic development.
He explained that he has written to several state governments and is getting the national assembly to show interest in the summit.
According to its group PR Manager, Theodora Ibekwe-Oyebade, the event will kick off with an evening of networking, with a Cocktail and Launching at the Banquet Hall of the Nigerian High Commission on August twenty-sixth.
In her words, the event is expected to be addressed by the new Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafat Ishola, alongside the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria, Helen Grant, MP, and the Chair of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
She says this will be followed, the next day, August twenty-seventh by the Main Summit, Exhibition and Deal Room Meetings.
According to her, this multi-track summit will bring together a unique and International mix of large and medium financial, telco, e-commerce, computer accessories manufacturing and other types of companies.
She states that the exhibition stands and deal rooms will run in parallel with the Summit providing delegates with the chance to get up to date information from companies and enable those in the Deal Room discussions to strike agreements in a B2B environment.
According to its Event Manager, Toyin Solaru-Balogun, several investors have been invited to sit in the ‘Deal Rooms,’ so as to engage with Nigerian Government and other business leaders.
Solaru-Balogun notes that High profile government officials, Computer Accessories Manufacturers, Suppliers, Exporters, IT experts and Investors and other speakers will present investment and business opportunities to a large audience.
The event is expected to be rounded up with an exclusive evening of dinner and dancing at the Five-star Grand Hotel in London.
Its Media Manager, Doyin Ola, said the NDDIS was established to help Nigerians in Diaspora and other international business leaders and companies who are keen to expand their investment portfolios to Nigeria.
She noted that the group also identifies potential sources of Finance, Technology and Technical skills that could boost the promotion and stimulation of enterprise and the creation of jobs to a wider number of Nigerians.
In the past, The NDDIS initiative has been described as the biggest gathering of Nigerian business leaders and the best-organized investment summit in the Diaspora.
NDDIS partners include UK Department for International Trade, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and work closely in partnership with the Nigerian High Commission, NIDCOM, Centre for African Studies, SOAS, AFFORD UK and British African Business Alliance and several other partners.
During question time, the organisers were asked why the summit is taking place in London and not in Nigeria.
The founder explained that it will be very difficult to mobilise investors to visit Nigeria to meet Nigeria.
On issues of security, the organisers explained that ‘Nigeria is our home and nothing will stop us from attracting investment into our country in spite of the perceived problems because that’s where our families live.