Tapping into the Potential of Academic Diaspora for Homeland Development: the Case of Nigeria

Academic Diaspora populations are an important resource that can be harnessed by home governments for national growth and development. Nigeria’s academic Diasporas provide an opportunity for Nigeria’s tertiary institutions to connect to the global knowledge community and for the government to utilize their skills and resources toward national innovation and growth. This paper examines the contributions of Nigeria’s academic Diaspora populations by analyzing their various modes of engagement in Nigeria’s development. The paper uses a review of relevant literature and responses from a questionnaire survey of 45 Nigerian international academics. Using the theoretical lens of the Diaspora Option Theory, the paper observes that the academic Diaspora has made significant contributions to Nigeria’s development but that the benefits of these contributions can be enhanced through proper government engagement and coordination.