The Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Shehu Usman Osidi, has called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, regulators, financial institutions, state governments and credible private sector operators to bridge the trust gap constraining Diaspora investment and unlock the economic potential of Nigerians living abroad.

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‎Osidi made the call while delivering a keynote address at the 9th Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS) 2026 Diaspora Engagement Webinar, on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, under the theme, “Bridging the Trust Gap: Connecting Diaspora Capital with Credible Home-Based Opportunities.”

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‎He identified information asymmetry, weak investment governance, fraudulent property transactions, regulatory complexities and inadequate accountability mechanisms as major factors undermining Diaspora investors' confidence in Nigeria.

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‎“Trust is not created by patriotic appeals or investment promotion campaigns. It is built through institutions, transparent processes, regulatory assurance, effective supervision and demonstrable accountability,” he stated.

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‎The FMBN Chief Executive advocated a coordinated national Diaspora investment framework, a credible repository of independently verified investment opportunities, stronger investor protection mechanisms and more efficient regulated financial channels. 

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‎He also called for greater adoption of digital investment services and stronger partnerships with state governments and credible private sector operators to develop bankable projects.

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‎Using FMBN's National Housing Fund (NHF) Diaspora Mortgage Product as an example of institutional action towards building investor confidence, Osidi disclosed that the Bank had recorded contributions from Nigerians in 31 countries across the six continents within the first few months of the product's launch in London on August 7, 2026.

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‎He explained that the product was developed through deliberate engagement with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), including arrangements for appropriate regulatory oversight, recognised International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) and a dedicated account for receiving and managing contributions. 

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‎He added that the Bank also established a Global Business Strategic Unit to provide specialised oversight and customer support for its Diaspora operations.

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‎Osidi further emphasized that access to mortgage finance must be complemented by credible housing supply, authentic property titles, responsible developers and effective regulatory safeguards. 

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‎He reaffirmed FMBN's commitment to expanding access to affordable housing finance and strengthening institutional arrangements that enable Nigerians abroad to participate confidently in the country's housing market.

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‎In her opening remarks, the Chairman/Chief Executive of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. (Dr.) Abike Dabiri-Erewa, called for a shift from remittance-driven Diaspora engagement and informal investment arrangements towards structured, transparent and commercially viable investments. 

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‎She identified knowledge gaps, unreliable project information, opaque transactions and fraudulent investment schemes as major barriers to mobilising Diaspora capital, stressing the need for institutional transparency, robust regulatory safeguards and effective investor protection.

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‎The NiDCOM Chairman went on to urge regulators, financial institutions and investment service providers to demonstrate greater transparency and accountability, while highlighting the Summit's role in connecting Nigerians abroad directly with regulators, project sponsors and investment agencies to scrutinise opportunities and understand available safeguards.

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‎Similarly, the Chairman of the Nigeria Diaspora Summit Initiative (NDSI), Mr. Mobolaji Lewis, emphasised that attracting Diaspora capital requires more than generating investment interest; it demands a coordinated institutional response that addresses concerns about the credibility of investment opportunities and the protection of investors' funds.

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‎The 9th NDIS was convened by NiDCOM in collaboration with the NDSI, bringing together government institutions, regulators, financial institutions and private sector stakeholders to explore practical pathways for connecting Diaspora capital with credible investment opportunities in Nigeria.

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