Kehinde Fajobi
Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, revealed on Thursday that Nigerians living abroad spent about ₦60 billion during their visits to the country in December 2024.
Speaking before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Diaspora to defend the commission’s 2025 budget, Dabiri-Erewa also disclosed that remittances from Nigerians in the diaspora over the last five years had exceeded $90 billion.
“You know, we’ve reached a stage where, in the last five years, we’ve shown that the diaspora is a powerful force and resource we cannot ignore,” she said.
Dabiri-Erewa highlighted the diaspora’s role in reshaping Nigeria’s narrative globally.
She praised President Bola Tinubu’s reforms, stating, “President Bola Tinubu has brought in reforms that everybody should support: tackling insecurity, building infrastructure, and taking hard decisions that will make Nigeria a better place.”
She emphasised the commission’s achievements, attributing the influx of diaspora Nigerians in December 2024 to consistent engagement with the community.
Dabiri-Erewa also noted ongoing plans to document diaspora contributions and proposed a Diaspora Plaza to serve as a hub for interaction and investment.
“Some of them are getting into local communities and businesses. They even want to start training young people in digital technology,” she added.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora, Senator Victor Umeh, acknowledged the diaspora’s importance but expressed reservations about extending voting rights to Nigerians abroad.
“We must get properly organised before we open up to people voting from outside Nigeria. Let’s manage our own elections at home first,” Umeh stated. He called for reliable data to ensure credibility before implementing diaspora voting.
Umeh further stressed the need to support NIDCOM financially, assuring that the National Assembly would advocate for an increased budget for the commission.
“This diaspora community needs to be fully explored and tapped into by the government of Nigeria,” he said.
“Such an important organisation cannot be left looking for money to function effectively.”
Umeh urged the government to prioritise the diaspora’s contributions, particularly in economic development and nation-building.