At the 2025 ADC-DN Convergence, a gathering that has increasingly become the intellectual and strategic engine room of Nigeria’s Diaspora political engagement, former Minister of Youth and Sports Development Barr. Solomon Dalong delivered one of the day’s most compelling interventions. Known nationally for his unflinching honesty, anti-corruption stance, and advocacy for social justice, Dalong used the platform to issue a clarion call: the Nigerian Diaspora must take the lead in rebuilding Nigeria’s democratic foundation.
Speaking during the virtual session, Dalong commended the organisational depth and ideological direction of the ADC Diaspora Network (ADC-DN), describing the platform as one of the few remaining spaces where genuine national discourse still occurs without political intimidation or patronage interests. He stressed that Nigeria’s political condition has deteriorated not because of a lack of brilliant minds, but because too many capable voices especially in the Diaspora have stayed on the sidelines.
Dalong’s Four-Point Charge to the Diaspora
Drawing from his long-standing advocacy for political accountability and youth empowerment, Dalong outlined four critical responsibilities that the Diaspora must embrace if Nigeria is to experience meaningful democratic renewal:
1. Moral Leadership
Dalong emphasized that Nigeria’s crisis is first a moral one. He argued that the Diaspora exposed to functional institutions and cultures of accountability abroad must champion ethical governance and challenge the normalization of impunity in Nigeria’s public life.“A nation without a moral anchor will drift into chaos; Nigeria needs a values-driven vanguard, and the Diaspora is best positioned to embody that integrity,” he stated.
2. Accountability as a Civic Duty
Highlighting the erosion of public trust in governance, Dalong charged Diaspora professionals to insist on transparency from political leaders at all levels. He urged them to engage more actively in public debates, policy tracking, and exposing waste, corruption, and maladministration. “Accountability must not be seasonal; it must be a culture. The Diaspora must remain vigilant and uncompromising,” he urged.
3. Policy Advocacy Rooted in Expertise
With millions of Nigerians excelling globally in fields such as medicine, engineering, development finance, diplomacy, technology, and education, Dalong challenged the Diaspora to convert that expertise into strategic policy influence.
He noted that Nigeria’s governance failures often derive from poorly informed policymaking. “If we continue leaving policy to the least prepared, Nigeria will continue producing the least desirable outcomes,” he warned.
4. Mentorship for Local Leaders & Support for Credible Candidates
Dalong, widely respected for mentoring young activists and emerging political leaders, called for structured Diaspora mentorship programmes that can help rebuild leadership capacity at local and state levels.
He insisted that the Diaspora must go beyond commentary and actively support credible, competent, and courageous candidates across Nigeria. “If we truly want reform, then we must support reformers not just rhetorically but strategically,” he said.
A Call for Democratic Courage
Beyond his four-point message, Dalong stressed the urgency of restoring moral courage in Nigeria’s political landscape. He urged the Diaspora to speak truth to power, forge alliances with progressive actors, and resist political intimidation — something he has personally been known for throughout his public career.
He also commended the ADC-DN for being one of the few Diaspora political structures driving a coherent ideological alternative in Nigeria’s political space, describing the convergence as a model for Diaspora-home collaboration.
Positioning the Diaspora as a Moral and Strategic Vanguard
The former minister concluded by challenging the Diaspora to see itself not merely as observers or funders but as co-architects of Nigeria’s next democratic chapter. “Nigeria is at a crossroads. If the Diaspora fails to lead, the vacuum will continue to be filled by those comfortable with failure,” he said.
As the ADC-DN Convergence 2025 drew to a close, Dalong’s message resonated deeply with participants, reinforcing a growing consensus:
Nigeria’s democratic renewal will require Diaspora knowledge, Diaspora networks, and Diaspora courage.
African Heritage Magazine will continue to provide exclusive coverage of this transformative initiative bridging Europe and Africa through innovation, empathy, and leadership. www.africanheritagemagazine.de
