NATIONAL DIASPORA MERIT AWARDS

i) To recognize and celebrate the Nigerians in Diaspora who have made contributions and impacted in the development of Nigeria
ii) To project them as Diaspora Champions and Role Models for others to emulate.
iii) To change the narratives of the image of Nigeria and Nigerians in Diaspora,
iv) To establish skill set of the Nigerians in the Diaspora who are active in different sectors of the Nigeria economy.

The categories of the National Diaspora Merit Award include those who have excelled or contributed in the following developmental sectors and others:

i) Agriculture
ii) Information Communication Technology (ICT)
iii) Science, Technology and Innovation
iv) Water Resources and Sanitations
v) Finance and Economics
vi) Youths and Sports Development
vii) Oil & Gas /Energy
viii) Education
ix) Medicine/Healthcare
x) Entertainment, Arts and Tourism
xi) Hotel and Catering Management
xii) Housing and Real Estate
xiii) Transportation
xiv) Fashion and Aesthetics
xv) Philanthropy
xvi) Politics/Leadership Development
xvii) Engineering

The National Diaspora Merit Award is open to all Nigerians in the Diaspora who have traceable and trackable records proving continuous and consistent impact in the development of Nigeria for at least five (5) years in service to national development. These efforts could be in form of Investments, Skills, Technology Transfer, Empowerment, Give-Back Initiatives, Philanthropic work, etc all aimed at national development. These contributions by Diaspora groups or Diaspora individuals who must be of good character would be recognized.

A Committee has been set up and calling for nominations of candidates to select, screen and recommend to NiDCOM Management for recognition and approval. The following are to be considered:

i) Nominee must be a Nigerian living in the Diaspora
ii) Nominee must be of good character
iii) Project and programs must be traceable and trackable
iv) Contributions of the nominee must be consistent over a period of five years minimum.

Nigerians in the Diaspora and registered Diaspora groups/associations can nominate qualified Diaspora that meet the Eligibility Criteria.

i. Submission of qualified candidates should be done at https://nidcom.gov.ng/nomination2026/
ii. Call for Nomination starts Monday 1st December, 2025.
iii. Closing date for submission of nominations is 1st March, 2026.
iv. The National Diaspora Merit Award Committee will collate the submitted nominations after closure of the portal on the 1st of March, 2026.
v. The Committee will do the screening and selection of the Awardees within the time frame of two months. Thereafter, it will submit its recommendations to the Management of NIDCOM for final confirmation and approval in May, 2026.

The 4th National Diaspora Merit Award would be conferred on the deserving recipients on the 26th July, 2026.

The National Diaspora Merit Award is an annual event of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).