President Bola Tinubu acknowledged on Thursday that Nigeria ranks among the top 10 countries with the most travelled citizens globally. Quoting United Nations figures, Tinubu highlighted the complexity and scale of migration among Nigerian citizens during the opening of the 2024 National Diaspora Day Celebrations themed “Japa Phenomena and its Implications for National Development.”
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, Tinubu recognized the significant contributions of Nigerians living abroad to the country’s development. He cited data showing that 169 million international migrant workers left their countries primarily to seek work, with Nigeria having a significant diaspora population.
“Currently, the United Nations ranks Nigeria among the top 10 countries with the most international migrants,” Tinubu noted, sharing his personal experience of having lived in the United States before returning to Nigeria. He appealed to Nigerians in the diaspora to bring back their experiences to contribute to national development.
Tinubu highlighted the historical context of migration, from the transatlantic slave trade to current global mobility, which competes for talent and skills. He identified the Nigerian Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and presidential town hall meetings with diaspora communities as some of the programs aimed at engaging the diaspora in national development.
He pointed out the positive effects of global immigration, including huge remittances of funds to middle-income countries, with Nigeria receiving $21.9 billion in 2023. Tinubu encouraged Nigerians in the diaspora to continue contributing to critical sectors of the economy and commended the Central Bank’s reforms, which have increased Forex and stabilized the currency.
Tinubu emphasized the importance of Nigerians, both at home and abroad, in developing their country and encouraged participation in impactful programs.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, revealed that Nigerians in the diaspora have remitted about $100 billion over the past five years. She emphasized that the diaspora’s contribution to national development is crucial and that more attention is needed in this sector.
Dabiri-Erewa mentioned that the much-anticipated diaspora voting bill, sponsored by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, has already passed its first reading, marking a significant milestone for the administration. The bill aims to grant voting rights to Nigerians in the diaspora, recognizing their relevance to nation-building.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, represented by his deputy, Benjamin Kalu, reiterated the government’s commitment to diaspora engagement for national development. He announced plans to explore ways to grant voting rights to Nigerians abroad and acknowledged the diaspora’s significant contributions to education, agriculture, ICT, transportation, and healthcare.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, acknowledged the brain drain phenomenon, where talented youth seek opportunities abroad. He stressed the need to create an environment that fosters technological growth and entices skilled professionals to return home. Akpabio assured that the National Assembly is ready to enact necessary laws to support the return of skilled professionals and contribute to the country’s growth.
The National Diaspora Day 2024 provided a platform for Nigerians in the diaspora to engage with the government and discuss ways to drive national development. The event underscored the government’s commitment to diaspora engagement and recognized the community’s significant contributions to Nigeria’s growth.
