Jermaine SanwoOlu

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Jermaine SanwoOlu Diaspora engagement specialist, Project Manager, Estate Surveyor & Valuer, public servant and speaker. Inspiring people to dream, build and make an impact.
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Sharing insights on diaspora, Lagos, real estate, leadership, faith and personal growth.

Dr. Jermaine Sanwo-Olu, PhDYesterday, I raised the question. Today, we continue the conversation.I’ll be moderating an i...
24/09/2026

Dr. Jermaine Sanwo-Olu, PhD

Yesterday, I raised the question. Today, we continue the conversation.

I’ll be moderating an important academic discussion today on:

DO MIGRANTS VOTE?
Nigerian State and the Politics of Diaspora (Dis)Enfranchisement

Yesterday, at a Nigerian Diaspora Town Hall held on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, I raised the issue of diaspora voting with members of Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council.

The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, spoke about the prospects of Nigerians in the diaspora being able to participate in elections in the future.

Today, we continue that conversation in an academic setting, examining the constitutional, institutional and practical considerations around diaspora voting.

I’ll be moderating the discussion with Olaolu Peter Oluwasanmi, PhD, Dr. Abdulrahman Terab, and Prof. S. S. Olaoluwa, Director, African Diaspora Resource and Research Centre, University of Ibadan, with the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. K. O. Adebowale, serving as Chief Host.

The seminar is hosted by the African Diaspora Resource and Research Centre, University of Ibadan, my alma mater.

For me, meaningful diaspora engagement goes beyond remittances and investment. It is also about participation, representation, belonging and maintaining a meaningful connection to home.

September 24, 2026
4:00 PM WAT
Zoom ID: 440 744 5578
Passcode: 140526
Link- https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81944241952?pwd=SyOgBbu5eHhdjt2ZagVmTnvf4vO6PZ.1Instagram:

I look forward to a thoughtful conversation on the future of diaspora participation in Nigeria.

DiasporaStudies

DrJermaineSanwoOlu.comI’m grateful to be in New York as part of the Lagos State Government delegation during UNGA 81.Tod...
21/09/2026

DrJermaineSanwoOlu.com

I’m grateful to be in New York as part of the Lagos State Government delegation during UNGA 81.

Today, I’ll be joining other speakers for a conversation on Capital Flows & Private Sector Investment in Africa at a sideline event organised by Vivacity Development and its partners.

My own focus will be “Diaspora Remittances & Returns on Investments Reimagined.”

This is a conversation I genuinely care about. For years, we’ve celebrated how much the diaspora sends home, but I believe we also need to ask: how do we help people invest better, build trust, reduce risk and actually see meaningful returns and impact from their investments back home?

And diaspora capital is much more than money. It is also our experience, expertise, relationships, networks and ideas.

Cornell University, 570 Lexington Avenue, 12th Floor, New York
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Monday, 21 September 2026.

I’m looking forward to sharing my thoughts, learning from my fellow panelists and contributing to another meaningful conversation about connecting capital, people and opportunities across borders.

Another opportunity to tell the Lagos story and keep building bridges between home and our people around the world.

DrJermaineSanwoOlu.comI am deeply grateful to our Lagos APC governorship candidate, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat and our par...
20/09/2026

DrJermaineSanwoOlu.com

I am deeply grateful to our Lagos APC governorship candidate, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat and our party, for the confidence reposed in me to serve as Deputy Head, Special Duties Committee, Diaspora Directorate, Lagos APC Campaign Council.

This responsibility is particularly meaningful to me because Dr. Hamzat understands the diaspora journey personally. He studied in the UK, built part of his professional career in the United States, and returned home to serve Lagos in several capacities.

His journey reflects something I strongly believe: the true value of the diaspora is not only in what we send home, but in the knowledge, experience, networks and ideas we bring back to help build home.

I accept this responsibility with gratitude and look forward to engaging Lagosians and Nigerians in the diaspora, as well as their families and networks back home, as we campaign for Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and our APC candidates in the coming elections.

Thank you, Sir, for the trust and opportunity to serve.

DrJermaineSanwoOlu.comI’ll be speaking at the California–Lagos Business & Investment Summit in San Francisco, with the G...
18/09/2026

DrJermaineSanwoOlu.com

I’ll be speaking at the California–Lagos Business & Investment Summit in San Francisco, with the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, attending as Special Guest of Honour.

For me, this gathering feels like a continuation of something important.
Back in April, I had the privilege of representing the Lagos State Government in California as we celebrated ACR 129 and the strengthening of the relationship between California and Lagos State.
Watch video - https://youtu.be/hwtLc2t_m64?si=J_aU6EGXSNQ58oEb

One thing that stood out to me then was the power of the diaspora.
Our people are already connecting Lagos and California through business, technology, culture, creativity, education and professional networks. The opportunity now is to turn those connections into stronger partnerships, investments and institutions.

At the summit, I’ll be sharing something I care deeply about: the opportunities available to the diaspora in Lagos and the systems we are putting in place to make diaspora engagement more structured, accessible and dependable.

Diaspora engagement cannot simply be about asking people to come home or invest. We also have to build the right information channels, institutional support, partnerships and pathways that give people greater confidence to engage with Lagos.

I also want to celebrate Mr. Lekan Salam and the entire Afretrade team, as well as supporting diaspora and partner organisations including the US Diaspora United Chamber of Commerce, NAPAC, Bay Area Council and NIED, for the roles they have played in bringing this summit together.

Bringing government, business leaders, investors, professionals and the diaspora into one room takes vision, commitment and a genuine belief in what stronger California–Lagos ties can achieve.
For me, this is what diaspora engagement should look like: connecting people, opening doors, creating opportunities and building bridges that lead to real outcomes.

I’m looking forward to the conversations, the connections and, most importantly, what we can build together.
See you in San Francisco.

DrJermaineSanwoOlu.comA Tribute to Mariam MuritalaIt is still difficult to believe that Mariam Muritala is gone.I had th...
17/09/2026

DrJermaineSanwoOlu.com

A Tribute to Mariam Muritala

It is still difficult to believe that Mariam Muritala is gone.

I had the privilege of experiencing her warmth and kindness personally at the recent Nigerian Diaspora Economic Development Conference in Canada, in which she played a pivotal role. She welcomed me so genuinely, opened doors, made introductions, and ensured I felt at home. That was the kind of person she was—someone who understood community and used her relationships to create opportunities for others.

Through Canada Vendors and her wider community work, Mariam brought people together, supported entrepreneurs, and created spaces where others could grow. She was also a proud daughter of Lagos who continued to make an impact far beyond our shores.

During my Lagos Diaspora Canada Connect tour, I had the opportunity to visit her family in Brampton and spend some time with her husband, Biola Muritala and loved ones. It was a deeply moving visit. Sometimes, beyond the official engagements and programs, these personal moments remind you what diaspora work is really about—people, relationships, community, and being there for one another.

The many glowing tributes that have poured in since her passing say so much about the life she lived and the people she touched.

I am grateful that our paths crossed, and I will always remember the warmth and generosity she showed me.

My heartfelt condolences remain with her husband, family, friends, the Canada Vendors community, and everyone who loved her.

Rest well, Mariam. You brought people together, opened doors for others, and made your life count. Your impact will not be forgotten.

DrJermaineSanwoOlu.com It was a truly wonderful evening at the Lagos Diaspora Canada Connect in Toronto, connecting with...
14/09/2026

DrJermaineSanwoOlu.com

It was a truly wonderful evening at the Lagos Diaspora Canada Connect in Toronto, connecting with members of Eko Lagosians of Canada and fellow Lagosians who continue to carry Lagos in their hearts wherever they are in the world.

There was something special about coming together, sharing ideas, exchanging experiences, and having honest conversations about how we can stay connected, support one another, and contribute meaningfully to the Lagos we all believe in.

Moments like this remind me that distance does not reduce our connection to home. In many ways, it creates new opportunities for collaboration, community, investment, and impact.

A special thank you to everyone who came out and made the evening memorable, and to the President of Eko Lagosians of Canada, Otunba Yinka Thanni, for the warm welcome and support.
It was a pleasure connecting with you all.

One Lagos. One community. Wherever we are in the world, we can keep building together for a greater Lagos rising.

It was such a beautiful experience being at the Naija Food Festival in Canada, spending time with Nigerians in the diasp...
13/09/2026

It was such a beautiful experience being at the Naija Food Festival in Canada, spending time with Nigerians in the diaspora and seeing how something as simple as food can bring people back home—even when home is thousands of miles away.

There’s something about tasting the food you grew up with. The memories come back. The conversations change. Suddenly, you’re not just eating—you’re remembering home.

Other diaspora communities, including Chinese and Taiwanese communities, have long used food to preserve identity, pass culture to the next generation and introduce their heritage to the wider world.

And it reminded me that diaspora engagement is not always about remittances, investment and policies. Sometimes, it’s about belonging.

It’s about our children knowing the taste, stories and culture of where they come from. It’s about supporting Nigerian businesses abroad. And it’s about giving the world another beautiful way to experience Nigeria.

Sometimes, the road back home begins with a familiar taste.

DrJermaineSanwoOlu.comToday, I’ll be at Imperial College London for Investors Connect London 2026, sharing some of what ...
10/09/2026

DrJermaineSanwoOlu.com

Today, I’ll be at Imperial College London for Investors Connect London 2026, sharing some of what I’ve learnt working at the intersection of diaspora, investment and development.
Our diaspora has so much more to offer than remittances. Across the world are Nigerians with ideas, experience, networks and capital who genuinely want to contribute back home. Our job is to help turn those connections into opportunities.
If you’re in London, come along. Let’s connect, share ideas and explore what we can build together.

DrJermaineSanwoOlu.com

09/09/2026

DrJermaineSanwoOlu.com

It was a privilege to moderate a high-level session at the Royal Commonwealth Society Nigeria event at the Royal Over-Seas League in London, engaging with governors, ambassadors, academics, business leaders and other distinguished guests.

Every opportunity to represent Lagos and Nigeria on an international platform reminds me of something important: prepare yourself before the opportunity comes. You never know which room your knowledge, experience and years of preparation will take you into.

Moderating the conversation also gave me another opportunity to contribute to discussions around the Commonwealth, sustainable development, investment and the opportunities that stronger international partnerships can create for Nigeria.

For me, this was more than another event. It was another reminder that when you keep growing, keep showing up and keep trusting God, the rooms you once imagined can become the rooms you are called upon to contribute to.

Grateful for the experience. Grateful for the journey. And looking forward to more opportunities to take Lagos and Nigeria to the world.

DrJermaineSanwoOlu.comIt was a privilege to moderate a high-level session at the Royal Commonwealth Society Nigeria even...
09/09/2026

DrJermaineSanwoOlu.com
It was a privilege to moderate a high-level session at the Royal Commonwealth Society Nigeria event at the Royal Over-Seas League in London, engaging with governors, ambassadors, academics, business leaders and other distinguished guests.

Every opportunity to represent Lagos and Nigeria on an international platform reminds me of something important: prepare yourself before the opportunity comes. You never know which room your knowledge, experience and years of preparation will take you into.

Moderating the conversation also gave me another opportunity to contribute to discussions around the Commonwealth, sustainable development, investment and the opportunities that stronger international partnerships can create for Nigeria.

For me, this was more than another event. It was another reminder that when you keep growing, keep showing up and keep trusting God, the rooms you once imagined can become the rooms you are called upon to contribute to.

Grateful for the experience. Grateful for the journey. And looking forward to more opportunities to take Lagos and Nigeria to the world.

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