HARNESSING DIASPORA HUMAN CAPITAL FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA: OPPORTUNITIES, CHALLENGES AND POLICY OPTIONS

The Nigerian Diaspora constitutes a significant reservoir of human capital, professional expertise, technological knowledge, entrepreneurial capacity and international networks that can contribute substantially to national development. Despite the large number of Nigerians living and working abroad, the country has not fully harnessed the skills, experiences and institutional connections of its Diaspora for sustainable economic and social transformation. This paper examines how Diaspora human capital can be mobilised to support national development in Nigeria, with particular attention to the opportunities, challenges and policy options associated with Diaspora engagement. The study adopts a qualitative approach based on secondary sources, including scholarly literature, government publications and reports from international development institutions. The paper argues that Diaspora professionals can contribute through knowledge and skills transfer, investment, entrepreneurship, innovation, research collaboration, mentoring, institutional partnerships and participation in public-sector development initiatives. However, weak institutional coordination, limited incentives for Diaspora engagement, bureaucratic barriers, inadequate investment protection, distrust of public institutions, brain drain concerns and weak mechanisms for transferring knowledge remain significant obstacles. The paper therefore recommends the development of a comprehensive Diaspora human-capital policy, stronger institutional coordination, Diaspora -focused investment and innovation platforms, streamlined regulatory processes, professional exchange programmes and structured mechanisms for knowledge and technology transfer