For many years now, the helms persons of the public policies and the organized private sector of the Nigerian economy, have been publicly conversing for the ever elusive foreign investment infusion into the Nigerian economy, via foreign investors; I am not sure that the efforts in these directions have been as successful as they could have been. Be that as it is, perhaps there are needs to re-examine our strategies or methods and the target at which we have marketed these investment ideas? Perhaps it is time to shift gears?

Nigeria still needs the infusion of investment and monies from outside the shores of Nigeria, but there are urgent needs for companies in Nigeria, to seek funding and investment from Nigerians abroad. Just as there are urgent needs by Nigerians abroad to assiduously invest in Nigeria; Economic reforms of monumental proportions are taking place in Nigeria, we must get on board, before the economic train leaves the station!

Seeking direct investment from Nigerians living abroad, is a markedly different strategy, and at a different audience, compared with foreign banks and foreign financial institutions or foreign government. Companies in Nigeria need to step-up their efforts to coral monies from Nigerians overseas, into productive endeavors in Nigeria, and what better source for that, than, Nigerians abroad, who assuredly have permanent stake in the economic and political outcomes of Nigeria?

More than twenty years ago, I encouraged friends to invest in landed properties in Abuja, at a time, when very few Nigerians were interested in or pursuing property development within Abuja and when some Nigerians sneered at Abuja, as a mere political pipe-dream that will never come to reality, but now? Those who had the resources and foresight to invest in landed properties in Abuja, are reaping the benefits of their pioneering or visionary efforts. As everyone knows, investments in landed properties, are infinitely more profitable, landed properties appreciates in value, while luxury cars and such, tend depreciate, the moment it is off the show-room or display shelf.

The point of the Abuja landed property investment analogy herein, is to demonstrate the similarities and how identical it is, paired with the current economic reform in Nigeria, it is not a pipe-dream, it is our reality and sooner or later, all Nigerians would come to recognize the reality of what is happening right now, on the economic reform front. Truth be told, the economic reform have at times been fitful or disorienting, but slowly and surely, it has been taking shape, and the present attempt by the apex financial body, the Central Bank of Nigeria, in it efforts to reshape financial institutions capitalization minimums,  this is a sign of specific determination to reform the Nigerian economy.

It is the case that a good number of Nigerians living abroad have disposable income, I make bold to say, that some Nigerians living abroad, are wealthily rich! The Nigerian public and private sector helmspersons should target these Nigerians.

The Nigerian private sector especially, should convince some Nigerians abroad, (who are still waiting to be convinced!), to invest in companies in Nigeria, these companies should demonstrate why it is profitable and wise for Nigerians abroad to do so.

It is a good thing to borrow from a non-hostile source, when we borrow from family and friends in pursuit of profitable investments, we are rest assured of their patience and understanding, we are comforted in the knowledge that our family and friends, would not set our home or properties afire, homes and properties derived from the loans which our families and friends grants to us, are also invariably theirs, there are therefore commonalities of interests in the success of the venture initiator and the loan-giver, the confluence of interest serves to diffuse hostile and underhand unsavory activities, as some hostile creditors have been known to engage in, against debtor nations.

Nigerian companies that are interested in investments by Nigerians in Diaspora must hold seminars, workshops and conferences with Nigerians in Diaspora, while also pitching investment ideas through various mediums, such as the plethora of Nigerians and Nigeria related websites which now dots the internet. Nigerians are very savvy business persons and Nigerians at home and abroad certainly know a good business proposals or offerings, when presented, it is clear to me, that good business plans, would play well with Nigerians with resources and determination to invest in Nigeria.

The other day, a bank in Nigeria was promoting investment opportunities to Nigerians here in the United States, the bank put forth detailed financial statement encompassing several years, prepared by its accountants/auditors and business consultants. I thought it was very appropriately done, as it convinced every potential investor, of accountability and complete transparency.

Governments at local, state and federal levels in Nigeria must work harder to improve the security situation, to assure all, that our economic and political environment is stable and it will remain stable.

Nigerians abroad, must invest in Nigeria, just as other nationals living outside of their home countries, have improved the lot of their peoples, through the plough of monies, expertise and other resources from overseas into their homelands. Nigerians abroad cannot afford to fold their hands. It makes perfectly good business sense to invest in Nigeria, as it is good investment with twin-benefits, profit and the uplift of our people and Nigeria, our ultimate source. It surely, does not get more profitable than that!