Diaspora Nigerians Key To National Development, Remitted Over $20bn In 2024 – FG

The Federal Government has hailed Nigerians in the diaspora as a vital force in the nation’s economic and developmental progress, generating over $20m in 2024, surpassing the country’s foreign direct investment inflows.

Speaking to journalists on Monday ahead of the 2025 National Diaspora Day (NDD), scheduled to hold from July 25 to 26 in Abuja, Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the diaspora community as one of Nigeria’s most undervalued and underutilised assets.

“The contributions of our diaspora are not just in remittances. They are solution providers, innovators, and ambassadors whose knowledge, skills, and networks can catalyse transformational change across all sectors,” she said.

The 2025 celebration, which will also include the 3rd National Diaspora Merit Awards, will be held at the State Conference Centre, Presidential Villa, Abuja, with the theme: “Optimising Formidable Diaspora Potentials for National Development and Growth.”

Dabiri-Erewa noted that over 20 million Nigerians living abroad have continuously demonstrated resilience and patriotism, with their contributions touching nearly every facet of society, from medicine and education to business, technology, governance, and the arts.

“In 2024 alone, remittances from Nigerians abroad exceeded $20bn. But beyond the numbers lies an untapped reservoir of intellectual capital, goodwill, and policy influence that can help reshape our country’s development narrative,” she said.

She highlighted tangible progress made in recent years to better integrate the diaspora into national development planning.

According to her, this includes the appointment of Diaspora Focal Point Officers across states, as well as the rollout of strategic frameworks such as the National Diaspora Policy, the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit, and the Data Mapping Project.

The NiDCOM boss also unveiled new initiatives including the Diaspora Home and Abroad Housing Platform, designed to support generational wealth creation and investment by Nigerians living overseas.

This year’s Diaspora Day celebration will be a hybrid event, with virtual and in-person participation expected from locations across the globe, including Lagos, London, Los Angeles, Lyon, Longjing, and Lisbon.

Highlights of the two-day event will include panel discussions, youth mentorship programmes, strategic partnership dialogues, networking opportunities, and the National Diaspora Merit Awards, honouring distinguished individuals who continue to uplift Nigeria with excellence and integrity.

“We must move beyond merely celebrating our diaspora occasionally. The goal is to embed them structurally into our development journey, not just through remittances but through policy shaping, entrepreneurship, and innovation,” Dabiri-Erewa said.

She added that cultural showcases will also form part of the celebrations, further reinforcing the diaspora’s enduring connection to their roots.

Meanwhile, Registration for the event — both virtual and physical — is currently open via the NiDCOM website: www.nidcom.gov.ng/diasporaday.