By Ayomide Otitoju
Fidelity Bank Plc has hosted a virtual summit aimed at educating Nigerians in the diaspora on new tax policies and emerging investment opportunities in the country.
The summit, held virtually on March 14, 2026, brought together Nigerians living across major diaspora markets including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates.
Speaking during her welcome address, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, said the theme of the summit—“Navigating the New Tax Policy and Unlocking Investment Opportunities in Nigeria”—was timely and relevant for Nigerians abroad who earn, save, own assets, or invest in the country.
She described Nigerians living abroad as strong ambassadors of the nation, noting that their contributions extend beyond remittances to include promoting Nigeria’s enterprise, talent, and reputation across global industries.
Onyeali-Ikpe added that the diaspora community is often referred to as Nigeria’s “thirty-seventh state” because of its significant scale and impact on national development.
The summit followed the maiden edition held in 2021 and featured presentations from thought leaders in both local and international markets.
Delivering the keynote address, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, highlighted the critical role of the diaspora in national development. She noted that Nigerians abroad contribute significantly through skills transfer, investments, intellectual property, and global exposure, while commending Fidelity Bank for creating the engagement platform.
In another session, the Group Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane, presented insights on Nigeria’s macroeconomic outlook in a session titled “2026 Economic Outlook and Economic Opportunities in Nigeria.”
Also speaking at the summit, Partner and Leader, Tax and Regulatory Services at PwC, Chijioke Uwaegbute, provided explanations on the new tax legislation and its implications for Nigerians living abroad.
The second part of the webinar focused on investment opportunities and strategies for sustainable returns in Nigeria. Chairman of Tekedia Capital, Ndubuisi Ekekwe, advised diaspora investors to adopt informed investment strategies supported by credible partners and compliant frameworks.
Technology entrepreneur and venture capitalist Ike Eze also delivered a presentation titled “The Nigeria Tech Playbook, Funding Trends and Exit Strategy,” where he examined trends in the technology investment landscape and outlined strategies for identifying opportunities across Africa and Nigeria.
The two-hour session concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Arise TV business news anchor Rotus Oddiri.
In his closing remarks, Executive Director and Chief Operations and Information Officer of Fidelity Bank, Stanley Amuchie, thanked participants and panelists for their contributions and reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to providing seamless cross-border banking solutions.
He encouraged diaspora customers to explore Fidelity Bank’s diaspora offerings, including accounts designed to support multi-currency transactions, secure authentication, dedicated support services, and tools for payments and savings.
Fidelity Bank serves more than 10 million customers through its digital platforms and over 255 business offices in Nigeria, as well as its United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The bank has received several local and international recognitions, including awards for digital transformation, MSME banking, and mobile banking innovation, as well as being named Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence.
