The fifth edition of the Door of Return ceremony, organized by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), welcomed descendants of Africans once taken as slaves to the Americas back to their ancestral homeland. The event, held in Badagry, Lagos State, was both emotional and symbolic—a celebration of reconnection, identity, and heritage.
NIDCOM Chairperson and CEO, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the occasion as far more than a ceremonial homecoming. She emphasized that the Door of Return strengthens the bond between Nigeria and its global diaspora, while also unlocking vast economic opportunities in tourism, cultural exchange, and investment.
Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, speaking at the event, captured the spirit of the celebration when he said, “All voyages consist of two parts: the setting out and the return. No voyage is complete without the other.” His words resonated deeply with participants, many of whom were stepping onto Nigerian soil for the first time as free descendants of those who were once enslaved.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), NIDCOM highlighted the attendance of several dignitaries, including the Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs. Miriam Morales Palmero. The ambassador reflected on the profound cultural and ancestral connections between Cuba and Nigeria—ties born from shared African roots and shaped by the transatlantic slave trade.
Ambassador Palmero noted that Nigerian heritage remains deeply embedded in Afro-Cuban traditions, especially within the Santería religion. She thanked NIDCOM and Hon. Dabiri-Erewa for creating a platform that promotes Pan-African unity, healing, and cultural rediscovery.
The ambassador also reaffirmed Cuba’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Nigeria in areas such as healthcare—where Cuban medical expertise has long been recognized—education, trade, and diplomacy. She called for continued solidarity between African nations and their diaspora communities to tackle global challenges, foster economic growth, and celebrate shared resilience.
A moving highlight of the ceremony was the symbolic walk through the historic Door of No Return, once a passageway through which enslaved Africans were taken from their homeland. This time, however, descendants from the United States, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Haiti, France, and the Benin Republic walked through it in the opposite direction—signifying their return, restoration, and reconnection.
The event was described as both a spiritual and economic journey—one aimed at uniting the African diaspora with their motherland permanently. In NIDCOM’s words, “This sacred journey weaves a profound spiritual and economic bond, forever uniting the African diaspora with the nurturing embrace of the Motherland, sparking hope, heritage, and prosperity for future generations.”
Participants expressed heartfelt gratitude to Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa for her dedication to bridging the gap between Africa and its diaspora. Many described the Door of Return initiative as a historic legacy—one that honors the past while illuminating a path of unity and renewal for generations to come.
