Jeffrey Daniel Encourages Diaspora to Explore Africa

Jeffrey Daniel, a celebrated American-African music icon and founding member of the band Shalamar, has encouraged members of the African diaspora to strengthen their ties with the continent. He recently shared his perspective during a courtesy visit to Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) in Abuja.

Badagry Door of Return Festival Experience

Jeffrey Daniel reflected on his experience at the fifth edition of the Badagry Door of Return Festival, organized by NIDCOM. He described the event as a moment of joy, healing, and reconnection. Walking through the Door of Return, he noted, contrasted sharply with the history of the Point of No Return, symbolizing a spiritual reconnection with his ancestry.

Diaspora Contributions and Encouragement to Return

Daniel highlighted the achievements of Nigerians in the diaspora across various sectors, including technology, sports, science, music, and innovation, particularly in the United States and Europe. He stated that approximately 60 percent of Nigerians in the diaspora are recognized as top-performing students. He urged Africans in the diaspora worldwide to return home and contribute to rebuilding Africa, emphasizing the importance of reconnecting with the motherland, particularly Nigeria.

Nigeria’s Cultural Strengths

Daniel praised Nigerian culture as vibrant, alive, and rich, citing the diversity of its languages, food, traditions, and experiences. He noted the resilience and creativity of Nigerians, even amidst infrastructural challenges, which he believes distinguishes the country globally. He used an analogy to suggest that Nigeria, like a luxury car with dents, should be repaired and appreciated rather than abandoned.

Daniel’s Current Activities and Role

Daniel, who has also served as a judge on Nigerian Idol, remains active in the global music scene, performing with a reformed Shalamar lineup as recently as 2025 and 2026. He is recognized for pioneering street dance and R&B music and for teaching Michael Jackson the backslide dance move, later popularized as the moonwalk, and for co-choreographing Jackson’s iconic music videos, Bad and Smooth Criminal.

NIDCOM’s Response and Mandate

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa welcomed Daniel’s return to Nigeria, describing it as symbolic and historic, noting he is the first global celebrity of his stature to relocate and remain in the country. She stated that his presence aligns with NIDCOM’s mandate of encouraging diaspora engagement, reconnection, reinvestment, and contribution to national development. Dabiri-Erewa commended Daniel’s participation in the Badagry Door of Return Festival, describing the act as emotional, symbolic, and unifying. She reaffirmed NIDCOM’s commitment to leveraging culture, creativity, and diaspora engagement for national development and global rebranding.

Daniel’s Background

Jeffrey Glenn Daniel, aged 70, is a pioneer in street dance and R&B music and a founding member of the iconic soul-funk group Shalamar.