Nigerians in Diaspora Remit $90bn in 5 Years — NiDCOM
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), has revealed that Nigerians living abroad remitted a total of over $90 billion to their home country in the last five years. Additionally, she disclosed that Nigerians in the diaspora spent around N60 billion during their visits to Nigeria in December 2024.
Dabiri-Erewa shared these figures while defending the commission’s 2025 budget before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Diaspora. She lauded the growing impact of the diaspora community on Nigeria’s economy, highlighting their pivotal role in the nation’s financial landscape.
Significant Economic Contributions
Dabiri-Erewa emphasized that remittances and the money spent by Nigerians visiting the country were clear indicators of the diaspora’s growing economic influence. She noted, “In the last five years, we’ve shown that the diaspora is a powerful force, resource, and we cannot ignore them.”
She continued by highlighting the global impact of Nigerians abroad, stating, “They are the number one ambassadors of our country. They will help us change the narrative of our country. And in fact, all over the world, everybody now wants to have a Nigerian as a friend.”
The NIDCOM chairman further urged that the nation seize the opportunity to leverage this diaspora power for development, referencing President Bola Tinubu’s reforms aimed at tackling insecurity, improving infrastructure, and making hard but necessary decisions to enhance Nigeria’s future.
The Proposed Diaspora Plaza
Dabiri-Erewa also proposed the creation of a Diaspora Plaza, a dedicated space where Nigerians abroad can engage with government officials, stay informed on investment opportunities, and connect with the nation more effectively.
Concerns Over Diaspora Voting
While discussing future plans, Senator Victor Umeh, co-chairman of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Diaspora, raised concerns over Nigeria’s preparedness for diaspora voting. He warned that allowing Nigerians abroad to vote without robust data and reliable systems in place could have serious consequences.
Umeh stressed the importance of laying a solid foundation before introducing diaspora voting. He also acknowledged the challenges surrounding funding for NIDCOM, pledging that the committee would advocate for increased financial support in the 2025 budget to enable the commission to continue its vital work.
Support for Diaspora Engagement
The senator further reiterated the importance of nurturing the relationship between the diaspora and Nigeria, noting that many Nigerians abroad are eager to become more involved in the country’s political processes. He emphasized that “Some of them are itching to come here and become part of the political process. Some of them want to vote, even from diaspora, to show you how interested they are about their country.”
Umeh concluded by underscoring the necessity of facilitating diaspora investment in Nigeria, encouraging policies that would enable Nigerians abroad to bring their wealth and expertise back home to further develop the nation’s economy.
Looking Ahead
With Nigeria’s diaspora community growing in both number and influence, Dabiri-Erewa’s statement and the ongoing discussions in the National Assembly highlight the expanding role of Nigerians abroad in shaping the future of the country. While challenges such as the need for improved data and systems remain, there is a clear consensus that the diaspora represents a significant untapped resource for Nigeria’s development.
