Driving Sustainable Development in Nigeria Through Diaspora Philanthropy
Contents
Development Through Nigerian Diaspora Philanthropy

Looking Ahead
and Recommendations

Diaspora philanthropists are shaping Nigeria’s future but concerted efforts can accelerate development gains

The Nigerian diaspora has been steadfast in its high rate of giving to Nigeria. And with investment opportunities on the rise alongside continued economic challenges facing communities inside Nigeria, the diaspora will likely maintain—if not increase—its philanthropy. Still, significant challenges remain, including a lack of coordination among actors in the philanthropic ecosystem, gaps in reliable data, perceived or real issues with corruption and lack of trust, and high transaction costs—all of which can impede greater diaspora engagement. As the Nigerian diaspora increasingly moves toward higher-impact social and collaborative development models, it will be crucial that Nigeria fosters transparency, accountability, and a supportive regulatory environment to fully actualize the diaspora’s potential as a strategic partner.

To expand the reach and impact of Nigerian diaspora financing, actors within the diaspora philanthropic ecosystem and those who support it can consider the following policy recommendations:

  • Leverage diaspora philanthropy as part of a cross-sectoral approach to development financing, as demonstrated by diaspora giving strategies in India, Mexico, and the Philippines. Participants in the FP Analytics–Ford roundtable noted that as philanthropy does not require immediate returns on investment, it can be used to underpin long-term projects and attract and de-risk other sources of catalytic funding such as venture capital and other private-sector investments.
  • Encourage collaboration and partnership among diaspora philanthropists, Nigeria-based organizations, local communities, and national and state governments through the creation of knowledge- and information-sharing platforms. These online or in-person events and seminars can strengthen networks and ensure that philanthropy is aligned with local needs and priorities and avoids duplicative efforts. For example, the Philippines government’s BaLinkBayan online portal includes regularly updated information on high-need communities and organizations and tools for diasporans seeking to begin or scale up giving and investment.
  • Facilitate targeted and long-term diaspora investment by closing data gaps and increasing access to high-quality, open-source data on Nigerian sustainable development indicators and other metrics of socioeconomic well-being. NGOs and multilateral institutions can work with national and state governments to close critical data gaps, including through capacity-building and technical assistance and by establishing a publicly accessible online repository of data.
  • Develop lasting philanthropic strategies that align with the SDGs and other Nigerian development priorities and undertake high-quality impact monitoring and evaluation. Philanthropists already engaged in formal impact tracking and alignment with the SDGs can share their approaches with peers, while NGOs and multilateral institutions can provide support and capacity-building to diaspora philanthropic organizations seeking to improve and formalize impact measurement.
  • Increase accountability, trust, and transparency among diaspora philanthropists, recipient communities, implementing partners, and the government through the establishment of clear and navigable regulations and adherence to high ethical and fiduciary standards. Support the creation and implementation of impact-measurement practices within philanthropic organizations to facilitate effective interventions, and encourage non-governmental oversight and capacity-building activities to increase public trust.
  • Harness and channel diaspora pride in the homeland into strategic philanthropy by engaging with the varied motivations for diaspora giving, maintaining strong cultural connections to the homeland among second- and third-generation diaspora Nigerians, and acknowledging the impact of diaspora contributions, both financial and cultural.
  • Explore innovative methods for philanthropy and diaspora engagement—such as government match funding, raising a new diaspora bond or supporting the creation of donor-advised funds—alongside existing forms of fundraising and charitable giving. Support entrepreneurship and impact investment as alternative channels for diaspora funds and knowledge-sharing.

With their wide-ranging careers, training, and interests, members of Nigeria’s diaspora community—particularly high-earning and high-net-worth individuals—are uniquely situated to help improve the lives of those still living in their ancestral homeland. There is great potential for diaspora philanthropists to elevate their current giving and make a significant impact on Nigeria’s ambitious development agenda, but it will require accelerated collaboration among the government, local NGOs, multilateral organizations, philanthropic foundations, and diaspora actors already involved in this work. If successful, these collaborations can contribute to transformative development outcomes in Nigeria and act as a model for other African countries with large and thriving diaspora communities.

Methodology 

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This report is based on extensive research and a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. The analysis draws upon:

  • A review of relevant literature, including peer-reviewed journal articles; reports from governmental, nongovernmental, and intergovernmental organizations; and news sources;
  • Publicly accessible quantitative data from institutions such as the African Development Bank, the World Bank, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and Indiana University Indianapolis’s Global Philanthropy Indices;
  • Insights from a closed-door FP Analytics–Ford Foundation roundtable discussion with high-earning and high net worth Nigerian diaspora philanthropists, investors, entrepreneurs, and other relevant professionals held alongside UNGA80 in September 2025; and
  • Twenty-one semi-structured interviews with Nigerian diaspora philanthropists and scholars with relevant expertise on diaspora philanthropy.

Interviewees were identified through a combination of purposive and snowball sampling with the aim of engaging with diverse Nigerian diaspora perspectives in North America and Europe. Interviews were with women and men covering a range of ages and included first- and second-generation Nigerians who are high-earning or high net worth diaspora members from various professional sectors, such as finance, law, technology, media and the arts, public health, and development.

While the sample of interviewees is well rounded, it is not representative of the broader Nigerian diaspora, and there are certain gaps or limitations. In particular, the sample consists of individuals of various ethnic backgrounds who emigrated—or whose families emigrated—from southern Nigeria and are now based in North America and Europe. The sample does not include individuals from every Nigerian state. In addition, although all interviewees are engaged in long-term charitable giving (i.e., not limited to remittances), not everyone interviewed for this report self-identifies as a diaspora philanthropist. Future research could seek to build on this report by filling these gaps and helping construct a fuller picture of Nigerian diaspora philanthropy.

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