Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), has revealed that Nigerians living abroad spent over N60 billion during their visits to Nigeria in December 2024.
Dabiri-Erewa, who also highlighted that remittances from the diaspora have surpassed $90 billion over the past five years, called this spending a testament to the growing economic influence of Nigerians abroad.
She made these remarks during an appearance before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Diaspora, where she defended the commission’s 2025 budget.
The NIDCOM boss praised the contributions of Nigerians in the diaspora, noting their increasing interest in investing and participating in nation-building initiatives. She further acknowledged that the commission has made significant progress over the last five years by focusing on the diaspora community and thinking creatively.
“The diaspora has proven to be a powerful force for our country,” Dabiri-Erewa stated. “They are our foremost ambassadors and will help us reshape the narrative about Nigeria. Across the world, everyone now wants to befriend a Nigerian. This is our moment to seize, and together, we can make an impact globally.”
Dabiri-Erewa expressed her support for President Bola Tinubu’s reforms aimed at improving Nigeria’s security, infrastructure, and decision-making processes, stating these efforts would make the country a better place. She emphasized the importance of the diaspora’s economic contributions, including over $90 billion in remittances in the past five years and at least N60 billion spent during December 2024 visits.
She attributed this growing influx of diaspora Nigerians to years of consistent engagement and interaction by the commission. Dabiri-Erewa also proposed the creation of a Diaspora Plaza to serve as a hub for Nigerians abroad to connect with government officials, learn about opportunities in Nigeria, and contribute to national development.
“Many young Nigerians abroad have money to invest and are eager to participate in local businesses and communities,” she added. “They are particularly interested in areas like digital technology training for young people. We will formalize these efforts into a comprehensive document later this year to better recognize the diaspora’s impact.”
Senator Victor Umeh, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora, voiced concerns regarding the feasibility of diaspora voting. He argued that Nigeria must first address existing challenges in its electoral process before allowing Nigerians abroad to vote.
“We must ensure the integrity of our electoral system before extending voting rights to the diaspora,” Umeh cautioned. “Without reliable data and systems in place, it could lead to confusion and disputes over vote legitimacy, especially if large numbers of votes are cast from abroad.”
He added that while preparations are underway for diaspora voting, the country needs to first strengthen its electoral processes domestically. He also emphasized the importance of gathering reliable data on Nigerians abroad to ensure an effective and transparent voting system.
Senator Umeh pledged to push for increased funding for NIDCOM in the 2025 budget, recognizing the significant role of the diaspora community. “The diaspora is crucial to Nigeria’s development,” he said. “Many of them are exposed to advanced cultures and practices, and we need to leverage their knowledge and resources to build a better nation.”
He further highlighted the challenges NIDCOM faces due to limited funding, noting that the National Assembly will continue advocating for additional resources to support the commission’s work. Umeh stressed that the diaspora is a global community that requires the necessary resources to operate effectively, including engaging Nigerians abroad and encouraging investments that will benefit Nigeria’s economy.
