…Diaspora Engagement and Global Partnerships
When Hon. Bolanle Aminat Sarumi (BASA) served as Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Matters to Governor Seyi Makinde, she redefined what it meant to connect the homeland with its people abroad. For her, diaspora engagement was not just about remittances or goodwill messages from abroad — it was about strategic partnerships, shared responsibilities, and community impact.
BASA understood that Oyo indigenes in the diaspora were an untapped force for development — professionals, investors, innovators, and philanthropists with deep emotional ties to home. She made it her mission to bridge this gap. Under her watch, the Office of Diaspora Matters became a hub of collaboration — linking Oyo sons and daughters abroad with local opportunities, community projects, and government initiatives.
She facilitated conversations that turned into action: diaspora-supported scholarships for indigent students, medical outreach programs, and small business interventions for women and youth. Many of these initiatives were coordinated through partnerships she helped broker between diaspora groups and local organisations.
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BASA also ensured that Oyo State’s voice was heard on international platforms. She represented the state at various diaspora forums and policy discussions, projecting the image of an inclusive, progressive administration that values its citizens everywhere. Her work helped position Oyo as a model for diaspora engagement among subnational governments in Nigeria.
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Beyond her official role, BASA has continued to sustain these bridges through her BASA Foundation, which maintains contact with diaspora partners to support local development efforts. Whether through education, healthcare, or empowerment drives, her approach remains people-centered and impact-focused.
Her belief is simple yet powerful: “The diaspora is not far away; they are part of us. When we build together, we grow together.”
By strengthening the bond between Oyo State and its global citizens, BASA demonstrated that leadership knows no borders. She turned connection into collaboration — and collaboration into progress.
Indeed, Hon. Bolanle Aminat Sarumi stands as a symbol of how visionary leadership can transform diaspora goodwill into sustainable community development.
