By Agatha Emeadi
Come November, Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos will play host to an initiative that promises to change the way Nigerians in the diaspora connect with their homeland. Titled Business Beyond Borders: Diaspora Return, the project is more than an event; it is a movement to rekindle cultural pride, foster business partnerships, and create opportunities across tourism, commerce and the creative industries.
Business Beyond Borders is a collaboration among Strategic Solutions Global (Atlanta), Waterlight Save Initiative (Georgia), East Point Atlanta Convention and Visitors Tourism Bureau (USA), and Lagos-based Palton Morgan Holdings. Their shared goal is to bring Nigerians abroad closer home while positioning the country as a hub for global business and cultural exchange.
For the inaugural edition set to take place at the Eko Hotel and Suites, 50 participants from the United States will embark on a journey back to Nigeria. For many, this is their very first time of coming home.
Nancy Aragbaye, Founder and CEO of Strategic Solutions Global, is the driving force behind the programme. For her, the return of the diaspora is not just symbolic, it is transformational.
“This initiative goes beyond tourism; we are here to start a movement that reconnects the diaspora,” she explained. “When Nigeria gets it right, Africa gets it right and the world also gets it right.”
Aragbaye is also keen on documenting this historic reconnection. A film crew will be part of the journey, capturing the participants’ experiences and the intersections of identity, culture, and commerce. She believes the documentary will not only amplify Africa’s creative industry but also change the global narrative of what it means to be part of the diaspora.
“People in the diaspora talk about Africa. They watch shows like Housewives of Lagos. But they have never seen a film that captures the diaspora in a powerful way like what we want to bring. Ours will showcase Africa’s beauty and its high-level business opportunities.”
Among the first that will hit the ground running are real estate mogul Kiana Watson, philanthropist Ashley Riewert, and fashion entrepreneurs Maxie J and Simon Tucker. Together, they represent a generation of diasporans eager to merge passion with purpose, bringing their skills, resources, and investments back to Africa.
For Eko Hotel and Suites, the host venue, the project is an opportunity to showcase Nigeria at its best to the world. “Hospitality today has risen above comfort,” said Ayodele Adio, publicist for Eko Hotels. “It is about creating a platform where Nigeria can proudly showcase herself before the world. Lagos is a global hub for world-class events and cultural tourism, and Diaspora Return will be a proof of that.”
Adio added that initiatives like this remind the world that Nigeria is not defined by its challenges but by its resilience, brilliance, and unyielding spirit.
Chantel Francois, President of the East Point Atlanta Convention and Visitors Tourism Bureau, highlighted the strong ties between Lagos and Atlanta, two cities that are alike in culture and ambition.
“Atlanta has a Nigerian community of over 20,000 people. This connection enriches our city and creates a natural bridge,” she said. “We are well-positioned to strengthen tourism, culture, and business between both regions.”
As November approaches, the excitement continues to grow. What began as a conversation across borders is evolving into a movement that promises not just to reconnect people with their roots, but also to shape the future of business and culture between Nigeria and its diaspora.
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