Jeffrey Daniel, legendary American-African music icon, has urged Africans in Diaspora to connect to Africa by visiting regularly or relocating to the continent, just as he has done.
Daniel of the popular Shalamar music band fame, gave the advice when he paid a courtesy call on Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in Abuja.
He expressed gratitude for the warm reception and shared his motivation for relocating to and living permanently in Nigeria.
Daniel is a pioneer in street dance and R’n’B music and a founding member of the iconic soul-funk group Shalamar, known for timeless hits such as “A Night to Remember” and “The Second Time Around.”
He reflected on his experience at the fifth edition of the Badagry Door of Return Festival, organised by NiDCOM.
Jeffrey Daniel stated in a press release e-signed by NiDCOM Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols NIDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, that the moment was one of joy, healing and reconnection.
He said walking through the Door of Return Festival was a sharp contrast to the painful history of the Point of No Return, through which enslaved Africans were forcibly taken away.
According to him, the Festival symbolised a spiritual reconnection with his ancestry and a renewed sense of purpose.
The American-African dancer noted that Nigerians in the Diaspora have continued to excel in several sectors, including technology, sports, science, music, and innovation, particularly in the US and Europe.
He added that about 60 per cent of Nigerians in the Diaspora are being celebrated as top-performing students, adding that it was a testament to the nation’s intellectual strength and resilience.
Jeffrey Daniel urged Africans in Diaspora all over the world to return home to rebuild Africa, stressing that it is time to bring back the spirit of the ancestors and reconnect fully with the motherland, particularly Nigeria.
He described the Nigerian culture as vibrant, alive, and intact, highlighting the richness of its languages, food, traditions and diversity of experiences.
According to him, Nigerians are uniquely blessed with resilience and creativity, even in the face of limited infrastructure, and this spirit has continued to distinguish the country globally.
Daniel stated that Nigeria should never be abandoned regardless of its challenges, describing the country as a luxury car which, if it has any dents, should be fixed and appreciated, and not be discarded because of a dent.
Daniel has also served as a judge on Nigerian Idol. He remains active in the global music scene and continues to perform with a reformed Shalamar lineup as recent as 2025 and 2026.
Welcoming him, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described his return to Nigeria and Africa as symbolic and home coming.
She said his return and decision to stay back in Nigeria as a resident is historic and deeply symbolic, noting that he is the first global celebrity of his stature to return home and remain in the country.
Dabiri-Erewa stated that his presence aligned strongly with the mandate of NiDCOM of encouraging Africans in the Diaspora, as well as friends of Nigeria, to reconnect, reinvest, and contribute meaningfully to national development.
According to her, the journey of Jeffrey Daniel transcended beyond entertainment and celebrity, as it speaks to identity, heritage, and the power of cultural reconnection.
She added that his decision has sent a powerful message to Africans in Diaspora that Nigeria remained a place of belonging, opportunity, and renewal, despite its challenges.
The NiDCOM boss commended Daniel for his participation in the October 2025 Badagry Door of Return Festival, where he walked through the historic Door of Return.
She described the act as emotional, symbolic, and unifying, particularly for Africans and members of the global diaspora.
Dabiri-Erewa reaffirmed the commitment of NiDCOM to leveraging culture, creativity, and diaspora engagement as strategic tools for national development and global rebranding.
The 70-year-old Jeffrey Daniel is a pioneer in street dance and R’n’B music and a founding member of the iconic soul-funk group, Shalamar.
He is globally recognised for teaching the King of Pop Music, late Michael Jackson, the backslide dance move, later popularised worldwide as the moonwalk.
He is also well-known for co-choreographing Jackson’s iconic music videos, Bad and Smooth Criminal.
