NIDO’s N25M Boost: Chairman Zaccheus pushes for Jewish phenomenon diaspora style, integration

By Vera Anyagafu

Adeniyi Sunday Zaccheus, HND MBA FCA FCCA FFA FIPA, serves as the Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), UK South, overseeing operations in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
As Chairman of NIDO UK South, a role he has held since 2023 (re-elected in 2025), Niyi drives homeland development initiatives alongside professionals of Nigerian origin.

A devout christian with The Redeemed Christian Church of God, heading Freedom House Dartford as Zonal Pastor, and a highly accomplished Chartered Accountant, Niyi, has gained extensive experience across various industries, rising to Executive Director of Finance. And with an MBA from the University of Ibadan and a Fellow of several UK accounting and taxation bodies he co-manages Crownwise Consult Ltd, an accounting firm in South East London with his wife, Ola, who is also a chartered accountant.

In this exclusive interview with Vanguard Consular Hub in Erith Kent, UK, Niyi, opens up about NIDO’s game-changing achievements, core values, and goals under his leadership, not leaving out Crownwise Consults, his love for football, traveling and making friends.

Excerpt;

What sparked your decision to lead NIDO as Chairman?

For me, taking on the NIDO Chairman role was about giving back to Nigeria.

I am very passionate about my country and want to contribute. With an effective organisation like NIDO, we can drive homeland development and help Nigerians thrive. I want to guide and support them when needed.

Family is also key, because, many Diaspora families are struggling, so we are working to keep them together.

Many Diaspora families are disintegrating and we are putting all the strength available to ensure that the community and family stay together as citizens, even when they finally relocate. We have Nigerians stranded in the UK, so we are guiding them, urging them in the right direction on normalising their stay, especially with Certificate of sponsorship (COS) issues. We are also proud of our professionals doing great things here.

NIDO was founded in 2000 by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
it’s the only Diaspora organisation enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution, with a global presence in major countries across the globe.

What is your vision for NIDO’s future growth and impact in supporting Nigerians globally?

My vision is that Nigerians in Diaspora will have a synergy, and work together seamlessly.

We are all about bridging the gap between businesses, collaborating, and supporting and uplifting one another in our respective fields.

Like the way the Jews keep their wealth circulating within their community, doing business among themselves, is really insightful. All the transactions they do is among them. If we can tap into that same spirit of trust and collaboration, and build that Jewish phenomenon, I believe our vision for a united Nigeria can become a reality.

We need to ditch tribal lines and see ourselves as Nigerians, united and working together, focusing on building our country, not just our individual tribes. We should grow together, corporate with one another so that homeland development can be better.

How do you address the challenges faced by Nigerians abroad, particularly in areas like visa processing, safety and economic opportunities?

My team and I have been working hand-in-hand with the Consular team here, and we have had great collaboration with the commissioners and the acting High Commissioner to make sure Nigerians get top-notch services and support. We are all about being approachable and responsive to their needs.

Also, we have been working with UK visa and Consular teams to give them a better understanding of Nigerian culture, especially since past issues have led to some trust issues. However, we are pushing for Nigerians to be treated fairly, but let us be real, some of us are not helping. We are harsh with each other, charging crazy prices for Certificate Of Sponsorship (CSO), and flouting rules, which gets us all scrutinised.

It’s frustrating to see licences revoked because of this. I am saying this as someone who has never used access to COS for personal gain. I have COS but I have never used it to enrich myself. Let us do better. It’s very unfair and disheartening this is happening. Nigerians make it difficult for us to talk to them at the UK Home office. Other nationals are not treated like this, and it’s time we sorted ourselves out.

Unfortunately, we are limited in what we can do directly to those flouting rules. The authorities here have the power to take action.

As an organisation looking out for Nigerians here, we are doing our bit by keeping Nigerians informed and cautious through workshops.

Personally, I have also used TV interviews at home and abroad to warn people to think carefully before moving overseas with their families without a solid plan in place. People should not gamble with their future.

How is NIDO leveraging Diaspora Nigerians remittances to boost Nigeria’s economy and promote financial inclusion?

We have been hosting seminars on investing back home, and it’s paying off. Many of our members have already put their money into Nigerian banks, with millions repatriated. We work closely with some banks, investing in money markets, stocks, and more.

Also, we have a very solid partnership with Stanbic IBTC bank, and many members have invested through them, fortunately.

However, when it comes to manufacturing, we always advise you to do your homework, because, Nigeria’s business landscape can be unpredictable, especially when you are not hands-on, anyways.

Can you share examples of successful NIDO projects or partnerships that have positively impacted Nigeria?

Interestingly, we have got some wins.

Every year, NIDO hosts ‘A Week in Nigeria’ with Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, (NIDCOM), bringing together Diaspora organisations to raise awareness and drive projects.

NIDO has been active in all six geopolitical zones in Nigeria, sinking boreholes, supporting schools, and helping school children.

NIDO has got representation across the board, East, South- East, South-West, North-East, North-Central, North-West, and South-South.

Last year, 2025, we raised over ₦25M (Twenty Five Million Naira) for our foundation to kickstart more projects.We are currently collating projects from members . So we do a lot to support our homeland.

The ₦25M came from a fundraiser, and we are just getting started. Members often bring us projects that can benefit their communities, we evaluate, and if it fits, we go ahead to execute the project. We have done this across the country and have more on the horizon. Notably, membership is open to professionals.

We are all about President Obasanjo’s vision of Diaspora Nigerians investing back home.
Also we have got a pipeline of projects under review.

How are you able to juggle NIDO and Crownwise Consults effectively?

The truth is, if you have passion for what you do, you will excel in it.

I have excellent executive members in NIDO. We all work together like one family to achieve what we have to achieve and I run Crownwise Consults with able hands by my side and that’s the ultimate.

That said, I have got an amazing wife who got my back. Crownwise is an accounting firm that ensures Small and Medium Scale Enterprise (SMEs), self-employed folks, churches, and charities are statutory in order, by filing accounts, taxes, and making sure they are fully covered.

I have got a solid team of Nigerians and others, and I am lucky to have such reliable hands at both NIDO and Crownwise.

What is your advice for Nigerians living abroad trying to achieve their goals?

I want to say that everyone living abroad is chasing a goal. You may not have completely achieved that as at the time you set for yourself, but stay focused.

You might not hit it exactly on time, but slow and steady wins the race, right ?Also note that relocating is tough, it takes some steps back, but I advise you gradually build and establish yourself into the system. If you do that you will be okay.

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