By,Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele

Rather than a ceremonial gathering full of speeches last weekend, EdoSHINE 2026 UK Executive Forum held in London under the theme, “Shine Beyond Borders” was an ambitious economic engagement that sought to reconnect one of Nigeria’s most influential diaspora communities with the future of their homeland, Edo State.

Edo State governor Senator Monday Okpebholo’s decision ab initio was to personally engage Edos in Diaspora as professionals, entrepreneurs and investors in the United Kingdom, in a marked departure from the traditional relationship between government and the diaspora. Instead of treating Edo people abroad as cultural ambassadors whose contributions end with remittances and home visits, the governor presented them as strategic partners capable of driving industrialisation, innovation and sustainable development back home.

The Governor’s vision was straightforward: attempt to create structured channels through which diaspora capital, technical expertise and global business networks can support critical sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, healthcare and technology in Edo State. By allowing potential investors to engage him personally and directly, ask questions and understand government policies without bureaucratic bottlenecks, he used the forum to remove barriers that have often discouraged serious investment.

Secretary to the Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, who outlined the philosophy behind the SHINE Agenda, argued that the administration’s approach goes beyond infrastructure. He described it as “practical governance” that places Edo people at the centre of government decisions. He also noted that Governor Okpebholo has since recognised the strategic importance of Edo citizens abroad. This he said informed his establishment of the Edo State Diaspora Agency, appointment of a Special Adviser and a Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Affairs,

“The second highest foreign revenue into Nigeria’s economy is diaspora remittances. You contribute about $21 billion annually. As a community, you are not just important to Nigeria; you are important to Edo State and to the agenda of Senator Monday Okpebholo”, he said.

The SSG said the Governor inherited a government heavily dependent on consultants but chose to redirect public funds towards improving workers’ welfare and strengthening institutions. According to him, contract workers earning meagre salaries were absorbed into government employment, teachers under the EdoSTAR programme received improved conditions of service, while funding to Ambrose Alli University increased significantly after consultant-managed arrangements were discontinued.

Perhaps more telling, he recalled proposing a multimillion-naira media campaign to counter political attacks against the administration. But the governor said, “I am not going to use Edo people’s money for that. I can stand at Ring Road and let them abuse me rather than waste public funds.’ That is the philosophy of practical governance.”

The Governor’s UK outreach also drew comparisons with one of the world’s most admired development stories. Popular comedian and philanthropist, I Go Die likened the initiative to Singapore’s transformation under Lee Kuan Yew, who deliberately sought global expertise to modernise his country.

“Your Excellency, you have made the right move by coming to London because development is a collective responsibility. No leader can do it alone,” he said.

“Just as Lee Kuan Yew travelled around the world to attract the best brains that helped transform Singapore, you have taken that same strategic step by reaching out to Edo people in the diaspora. This is how nations build lasting prosperity.”

Beyond the symbolism, I Go Die said his admiration for the Governor was reinforced by a personal experience in which the governor assured him that justice over a disputed parcel of land would extend to every affected resident, not just to him. He also praised the administration’s infrastructure drive, saying visible projects such as the Benin City flyover has strengthened public confidence in government.

The forum’s significance was further underscored by the former Governor of Edo State, and serving Senator representing Edo North Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who openly admitted that although he served eight years as governor, he never conceived the idea of convening Edo stakeholders in the United Kingdom.

“I was governor for eight years unbroken. I did not think of coming to the United Kingdom to account to Edo stakeholders. This is a fundamental shift.”

For Senator Oshiomhole, the London engagement reflected a governor willing to account for hisq stewardship while inviting Edo people abroad to become active partners in building the state’s future rather than distant observers.

He challenged members of the diaspora to move beyond applauding government efforts and begin investing in the opportunities emerging across Edo State. While government, he argued, has the responsibility to provide roads, infrastructure and security, sustainable economic growth can only be driven by private enterprise.

“Government cannot build factories. Government creates the enabling environment necessary to attract investors, retain investments and encourage more investment in Edo State,” he said, citing the transformation of the cement industry through private investment as evidence that business, not government ownership, ultimately drives industrial growth.

That call found immediate expression in a practical proposal from one Prince Ogioba, who resides in the UK and spoke on behalf of Edo professionals in the diaspora. Rather than making broad appeals, he presented a detailed investment plan for a fruit processing factory in Ehor, Uhunmwode Local Government Area.

According to him, the area has abundant oranges, pineapples and other fruits capable of supporting a thriving juice-processing industry, yet farmers continue to lose value because there are no processing facilities.

“We have more than enough raw materials, but we don’t have a factory for processing. Build this factory with government money, put shares on it and we will buy the shares. We are not asking you to build it for free; we want to work with you.”

He estimated that the project could create about 2,000 direct jobs and another 3,000 indirect jobs, transforming agriculture into an industrial value chain while encouraging skilled Edo indigenes abroad to return home with their expertise and investment.

His proposal illustrated one of the forum’s central objectives—moving beyond goodwill to structured diaspora investment partnerships capable of stimulating economic growth and creating employment.

Former Edo State Deputy Governor Chief Lucky Imasuen also used the occasion to rebut claims that development under Governor Okpebholo was concentrated in only a section of the state. Drawing attention to completed and ongoing projects across Edo South, Edo Central and Edo North, he cited the payment of outstanding pensions and gratuities for workers of the College of Education, Ekiadolor, funding for the College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi, salary interventions at Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, road construction across the three senatorial districts and scholarship programmes benefiting students statewide.

“Any person who says the Governor is concentrating only in one part of the state is lying,” he declared.

He added that projects such as the Evbuotubu-Asoro Road, the Okhun Road linking the Benin-Lagos highway to Iguobazuwa, ongoing work on Ekenwan Road and other infrastructure projects demonstrate an administration pursuing balanced development rather than sectional politics.

Beyond roads and public infrastructure, the forum highlighted emerging opportunities in engineering, renewable energy, healthcare, project management, export logistics and agribusiness. By bringing investors into direct contact with policymakers, the Governor created a platform where concerns over regulations, financing and government policies could be addressed openly. That level of engagement, many participants agreed, is essential for attracting serious investment and building long-term confidence.

For Edo professionals abroad, the message was clear. The state no longer sees them merely as citizens who send remittances home but as partners whose expertise, innovation and financial capacity can accelerate development. From agro-processing and healthcare to construction and technology, the SHINE Agenda offers opportunities that extend far beyond philanthropy.

In many respects, the London forum represented more than an investment conference. It reflected a governance philosophy that places accountability, dialogue and partnership at the centre of development. By presenting his administration’s scorecard before Edo citizens overseas, listening to their concerns and inviting them to participate directly in the state’s economic future, Governor Okpebholo demonstrated a leadership style that values engagement over distance.

That approach earned praise from across the spectrum of speakers, from Oshiomhole’s acknowledgement of the Governor’s unprecedented outreach, to Prince Ogioba’s commitment to invest, Chief Lucky Imasuen’s defence of the administration’s record and I Go Die’s comparison of the Governor’s diaspora strategy to Lee Kuan Yew’s global engagement model.

The significance of EdoSHINE 2026 lies in its attempt to redefine the relationship between Edo State and its global community. With the momentum generated in London, the forum may well be remembered as the moment Edo’s diaspora ceased to be spectators in the state’s development story and became active partners in building a more prosperous economy.

For Governor Monday Okpebholo, it was not simply a visit to the United Kingdom; it was a deliberate effort to take Edo’s development conversation beyond borders and invite the world back home.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ebojele, PhD in Public Administration, is the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State.