FG Hails Diaspora as $20bn Lifeline, Urges Greater Engagement for National Growth
The Federal Government has highlighted the Nigerian diaspora as a critical yet underleveraged resource in the country’s developmental journey, noting that diaspora remittances have already exceeded $20 billion in 2024.
Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, made this known during a press briefing ahead of the 2025 National Diaspora Day (NDD) and the 3rd National Diaspora Merit Awards (NDMA), scheduled to hold July 25–26 in Abuja.
With the theme “Optimising Formidable Diaspora Potentials for National Development and Growth,” this year’s celebration aims to catalyse deeper and more structured engagement with Nigeria’s global community.
According to Dabiri-Erewa, the diaspora population—estimated at over 20 million—represents a reservoir of innovation, wealth, and global influence. She noted: “Undeniably, they are among Nigeria’s greatest exports, yet remain one of our most underutilised assets for national development. In 2024 alone, remittances from Nigerians abroad exceeded $20 billion, surpassing foreign direct investment.”
She emphasised that beyond remittances, diaspora Nigerians contribute significantly across sectors such as healthcare, education, tech, business, sports, and the arts.
Over the years, strategic initiatives like the National Diaspora Policy, the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit, and the Diaspora Data Mapping Project have helped bridge the gap between citizens at home and abroad. These, alongside the introduction of State Diaspora Focal Point Officers, have made diaspora concerns integral to national development planning.
Dabiri-Erewa stressed: “Optimising diaspora potential means creating real structures that allow Nigerians abroad to co-own our development journey—not just with remittances, but with intellectual capital, policy influence, and business partnerships.”
She announced that the 2025 NDD will be a hybrid event held at the State Conference Centre, Presidential Villa, Abuja, and will include mentorship sessions, strategic dialogue forums, cultural showcases, and the National Diaspora Merit Awards.
To participate, she encouraged registration via www.nidcom.gov.ng/diasporaday or through NiDCOM’s official social media handles.
In January, Dabiri-Erewa disclosed to the National Assembly that Nigerians returning home in December 2024 collectively spent about ₦60 billion.
In May, the CBN and NIBSS launched the Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN) system to allow Nigerians abroad to obtain their BVN remotely without visiting Nigeria.
