Nigeria Woos Diaspora Investors in Silicon Valley, Says “Ready for Business”

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria has intensified its push to attract diaspora-driven investments, with the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, declaring that the country is fully open and prepared for business.

Speaking in Silicon Valley, California, at a high-level pre-event dinner ahead of the African Diaspora Investment Symposium 2026 (ADIS26), Dabiri-Erewa assured global investors—particularly Nigerians in the diaspora—that Nigeria offers vast and untapped investment opportunities across sectors.

The event, hosted at Santa Clara University, brought together top African and global stakeholders under the theme: “Bridging Africa & Silicon Valley: Shaping the Future of Innovation, Investment, and Inclusive Growth.”

Dabiri-Erewa said Nigeria is deliberately positioning its diaspora as a strategic economic force, leveraging their expertise, capital, and global networks to accelerate national development.

She highlighted ongoing reforms and investment-friendly policies under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the government is creating an enabling environment for diaspora participation in critical sectors, including technology, infrastructure, and entrepreneurship.

According to her, the focus is shifting from remittances to structured, long-term investments capable of driving sustainable economic growth and innovation.

“The Nigerian diaspora remains one of our strongest assets,” she said, stressing that deeper engagement would unlock transformative opportunities for both the country and its global citizens.

The NIDCOM boss also commended Almaz Negash, founder of the African Diaspora Network, for convening the platform and fostering cross-continental partnerships.

Beyond the dinner, Dabiri-Erewa held a working session with Nigerian professionals in the United States, many of whom expressed readiness to collaborate with NIDCOM on initiatives aimed at national development.

The engagements attracted a diverse mix of African and American leaders, innovators, investors, and policymakers, reinforcing a growing consensus on the need to build stronger bridges between Africa and the global technology ecosystem.

The gathering underscored a shared commitment to moving beyond traditional remittance flows toward impactful investments that can shape Africa’s economic future.

Nigeria Woos Diaspora Investors in Silicon Valley, Says “Ready for Business”

Zulum Cracks Down on Insurgent Support Networks, Backs Airstrikes on ‘Notorious’ Border Market

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has issued a stern warning to residents against aiding or providing any form of support to Boko Haram, as intensified military operations target suspected logistics hubs in the North-East.

The warning comes in the wake of recent air operations by the Operation Hadin Kai, which struck the Jilli general area in Gubio Local Government Area on April 11, 2026.

Jilli, a border community linking Borno and Yobe states, has come under scrutiny as a suspected conduit for insurgent activities. According to the governor, the Jilli market—alongside the nearby Gazabure market—had been officially shut down by the state government five years ago due to security concerns.

“I have been properly briefed on the airstrike carried out on Jilli market,” Zulum said, describing the location as a “notorious hub” allegedly exploited by insurgents and their supply chains.

He revealed ongoing high-level consultations with the Yobe State Government and military leadership, underscoring a coordinated regional approach to tackling insurgency and preventing the resurgence of rebel strongholds along state borders.

Zulum emphasized that any decision to reopen markets or resettle communities in conflict-affected zones is taken only after thorough security assessments and in collaboration with the military and other agencies.

Reaffirming his administration’s stance, the governor said protecting civilians remains paramount, while also stressing that individuals found aiding insurgents—whether through shelter, information, or logistics—would face serious consequences.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and support security forces by sharing credible intelligence, noting that community cooperation is critical to dismantling insurgent networks and restoring lasting peace in the region.

Zulum Cracks Down on Insurgent Support Networks, Backs Airstrikes on ‘Notorious’ Border Market

Zagazola checks: recycled 2014, 2017, 2018 images used to misrepresent Jilli airstrikes

Zagazola Makama Checks has uncovered that images circulating in sections of the media, purportedly showing the aftermath of recent military airstrikes in Jilli, Gubio Local Government Area of Borno, are false and misleading.

Findings indicate that the photos being widely shared are not from the April 11, 2026 operation but are recycled images from 2014, 2017 and 2018 during earlier phases of the insurgency.

The use of such outdated visuals has contributed to the spread of misinformation, particularly claims alleging civilian casualties in the Jilli strikes.

“These photos being circulated are fake. They are old images from 2014, 2017 and 2018 being repurposed to mislead the public and distort the reality of the operation,” Military said.

Zagazola report that no media been able to visit the scene of the attacks as Jilli remains a long-established insurgent enclave, widely regarded as a “no man’s land” with no legitimate civilian presence, and primarily used by terrorist groups for logistics and coordination.

They warned that the use of misleading visuals risks inflaming public sentiment and undermining confidence in ongoing counter-terrorism efforts.

Zagazola checks: recycled 2014, 2017, 2018 images used to misrepresent Jilli airstrikes