Triangle International Magazine celebrated its 10th anniversary with a high-profile diaspora lecture and dinner at the Great Hall of King's College London. The event, themed around harnessing the contributions of Nigerians abroad for national development, attracted policymakers, academics, business leaders and members of the Nigerian diaspora. Comedian Seyi Law anchored the evening, blending entertainment with intellectual discourse. Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, delivered the keynote address, praising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and unification of the foreign exchange market. He cited improved fiscal discipline and a shift toward production-driven investment as signs of long-term economic stabilisation. Tunji-Ojo urged diaspora Nigerians to invest in the country's evolving economy and was honoured with the Personality of the Year Award. Zamfara State Governor Dr Dauda Lawal spoke on his administration's efforts to restore governance, improve security, rebuild infrastructure and strengthen healthcare. He credited prudent financial management for progress in the state and praised the event for fostering Nigeria-diaspora collaboration. Professor Ojo Emmanuel Ademola, Chairman of Triangle International and Africa's first Professor of Cybersecurity and IT Management, called for a national database of diaspora technocrats. He proposed their inclusion in top governance roles, including the National Executive Council, and stressed the need for digital infrastructure to enable global competitiveness.
A minister receiving an award for defending controversial economic policies abroad while many at home grapple with their fallout reveals a growing narrative gap. Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo's praise for subsidy removal and forex reforms rings differently in Lagos or Kano than it does in London. The diaspora engagement push, while symbolically strong, does little to address the daily realities of Nigerians facing high living costs. Platforms like Triangle International amplify elite voices but have yet to translate such dialogues into tangible policies that reach the streets.
