Christopher B. Olowosoke

@KhreaseBio

Biotechnologist||Scientist||Writer||SDG advocate#.....

Twitter'a katıldığı tarih September 2017

63 Takip Edilen

16 Takipçi

292 Gönderi

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Dr. Juwon Fayomi

@JuwonFayomi

1 gün önce

God bless Amb. Dr. @femipedro for the giant moves. Its indeed a blessed era in Australia for Nigerians. https://t.co/9Lu1lrv6gt. @abikedabiri @Ojukwu_Bianca @drobafemihamzat @jidesanwoolu @nidcom_gov

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Dr. Juwon Fayomi

@JuwonFayomi

10 gün önce

Rather, it would complement existing institutions by serving as a bridge between government and one of the country's most educated and globally connected constituencies. Its responsibilities could include maintaining regular engagement with recognised Nigerian student associations worldwide, advising the Presidency on issues affecting students abroad, coordinating with embassies during emergencies, facilitating research and innovation partnerships, encouraging knowledge transfer, promoting leadership development, supporting talent retention and return initiatives, and ensuring that diaspora youths contribute meaningfully to national policy conversations. This would strengthen, not weaken, the mandates of existing institutions. The world offers useful lessons. Several countries maintain structured engagement with their students overseas through scholarship offices, education attachés, diaspora youth councils, leadership programmes, innovation networks, and coordinated talent return initiatives. These mechanisms recognise that students abroad are not merely temporary migrants; they are strategic national assets whose knowledge, skills, and global exposure can accelerate national development. Nigeria should adopt a similar long-term perspective. The country already benefits immensely from the contributions of its diaspora through remittances, investments, research collaborations, technology transfer, healthcare expertise, and international advocacy. Young Nigerians abroad represent the next generation of these contributions. Their experiences in some of the world's leading universities, laboratories, technology companies, hospitals, and research institutes provide valuable insights that can inform public policy, education reform, innovation, entrepreneurship, and institutional development at home. Indeed, no one understands the realities of Nigerian students abroad better than those living those experiences every day. For a government committed to youth inclusion, innovation, and inclusive governance, creating a dedicated channel for this constituency would send a powerful message: that every Nigerian, regardless of location, has a voice in shaping the nation's future. This proposal is not about creating another layer of bureaucracy. It is about closing an institutional gap. It is about ensuring that policies affecting young Nigerians reflect the realities of an increasingly global generation. It is about transforming Nigerian students abroad from observers into active partners in national development. Most importantly, it is about recognising that patriotism is not defined by geography. It is defined by commitment. Across continents, Nigerian students continue to carry the country's flag with pride in classrooms, laboratories, conference halls, innovation hubs, hospitals, and workplaces. They celebrate Nigeria's successes, defend its reputation, and dream of contributing to its progress. They deserve more than occasional recognition. They deserve a permanent seat at the table. As Nigeria continues to redefine its place in an increasingly interconnected world, establishing a Special Adviser or Assistant to the President on Nigerian Students and Youths in the Diaspora would be a forward-looking step towards more inclusive governance. It would ensure that the ideas, talents, and aspirations of one of the nation's most dynamic constituencies are heard, not occasionally, but consistently. The future of Nigeria will not be built solely within its borders. It will also be shaped by millions of Nigerians beyond them. Government should recognise this reality and create the institutional bridge that allows these voices to help shape the nation's next chapter. Inclusive governance requires that every significant stakeholder has a pathway to contribute meaningfully to national development. Nigerian students and youths in the diaspora have consistently demonstrated their commitment to the nation's progress.

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Dr. Juwon Fayomi

@JuwonFayomi

10 gün önce

NIGERIA NEEDS A PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER FOR STUDENTS AND YOUTHS IN THE DIASPORA. By Dr. Juwon Fayomi Leadership offers many lessons, but perhaps its greatest privilege is the opportunity to listen. As I conclude my tenure as Global President of Nigerian Students in Diaspora, I leave with a deep appreciation for the resilience, brilliance, and patriotism of thousands of young Nigerians pursuing education and careers across the globe. I also leave with one unmistakable conviction: Nigeria is yet to fully harness one of its greatest strategic assets, its students and young professionals in the diaspora. Every year, thousands of Nigerians leave the country to study in universities, undertake research, acquire specialised skills, or build careers in medicine, engineering, technology, academia, business, and other professions. Far from abandoning Nigeria, many remain deeply connected to home. They establish Nigerian student associations, organise cultural events, support new arrivals, mentor younger students, build international research collaborations, promote Nigeria's image abroad, and actively seek opportunities to contribute to national development. In many respects, they serve as Nigeria's unofficial ambassadors. Yet, despite their growing numbers and strategic importance, Nigerian students and youths abroad remain one of the least represented constituencies in national policymaking. There is no dedicated office within the Presidency through which they can consistently engage government, share their experiences, or contribute ideas that could strengthen national development. This gap deserves urgent attention. Nigeria has made commendable progress in diaspora engagement. The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has worked tirelessly to strengthen relations with Nigerians overseas, protect their interests, encourage investment, and promote diaspora participation in national development. Likewise, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, and Nigerian diplomatic missions continue to perform important responsibilities within their respective mandates. However, none of these institutions has a primary responsibility to focus specifically on Nigerian students and young professionals abroad. This distinction matters. Students and young professionals constitute a unique segment of the diaspora. Their needs differ significantly from those of established professionals, investors, or long-term migrants. They require support relating to education, research collaboration, career development, innovation, leadership, mental wellbeing, and transition into global labour markets. More importantly, they represent the future intellectual and professional leadership of Nigeria. Despite this, many government initiatives targeting young people rarely extend meaningfully to Nigerians studying overseas. A practical example is the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). The initiative represents a landmark investment in expanding access to higher education within Nigeria. Yet Nigerian students enrolled in recognised institutions abroad are currently outside its scope. Whether or not the programme is eventually expanded internationally is a separate policy discussion. The more fundamental issue is that there is currently no dedicated institutional mechanism responsible for consistently engaging Nigerian students abroad, understanding their realities, and presenting evidence-based recommendations to government. Similarly, many youth empowerment programmes understandably focus on domestic participants, leaving limited opportunities for diaspora youth engagement despite the expertise, international exposure, and networks that young Nigerians abroad possess. This is why Nigeria should consider establishing the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Nigerian Students and Youths in the Diaspora. Such an office would not duplicate the responsibilities of NiDCOM or any ministry.

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Christopher B. Olowosoke

@KhreaseBio

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