Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), revealed that Nigerians living abroad contributed approximately N60 billion during their visits to the country in December 2024.
This follows a statement from the National Assembly, which declared that Nigeria is not yet prepared for diaspora voting.
Dabiri-Erewa also disclosed that remittances sent by Nigerians abroad over the past five years have exceeded $90 billion, underscoring the significant economic impact of the diaspora.
Speaking before the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Diaspora to defend NIDCOM’s 2025 budget, she praised the growing engagement of Nigerians abroad in nation-building and investments.
“Over the past five years, we’ve shown that the diaspora is a powerful resource that can no longer be ignored,” Dabiri-Erewa remarked.
“They are our number one ambassadors, helping to change Nigeria’s global narrative. With 17 million Nigerians abroad, we have the potential to make a significant global impact.”
She also lauded President Bola Tinubu for his ongoing reforms, which focus on tackling insecurity and building critical infrastructure.
Dabiri-Erewa highlighted that the economic contributions of Nigerians abroad—both in remittances and their spending during visits—are essential for the nation’s growth.
The surge of diaspora Nigerians visiting Nigeria in December 2024 was attributed to years of consistent engagement by NIDCOM with the diaspora. Dabiri-Erewa noted that the commission is working on innovative funding strategies and collaborating with the National Assembly’s Diaspora Committee to strengthen its financial capacity.
Additionally, Dabiri-Erewa proposed the creation of a Diaspora Plaza, a proposed hub for Nigerians abroad to connect with government officials and explore opportunities in Nigeria.
She also shared that many young Nigerians abroad are eager to invest in local businesses and contribute to training youth in digital technology.
However, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora, Senator Victor Umeh, expressed concerns over Nigeria’s readiness to implement diaspora voting.
He argued that the nation must first address existing challenges within its domestic electoral system before extending voting rights to Nigerians abroad.
The Diaspora Voting Right Bill, co-sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Representative Sadiq Abdullahi, is awaiting a public hearing in the National Assembly. If passed, the bill would amend the Electoral Act of 2022 to enable Nigerians abroad to vote in future elections.
Umeh emphasized the importance of securing reliable data and establishing proper systems before introducing diaspora voting.
“We must first ensure that we have accurate data on where Nigerians are located abroad to avoid complications during elections,” he stated.
He further underscored the need for more financial support for NIDCOM to ensure continued engagement with the diaspora.
Umeh assured that the National Assembly would advocate for increased funding in the 2025 budget to support the commission’s efforts.
“The lack of sufficient funding has been a challenge for NIDCOM,” Umeh acknowledged. “But we are committed to securing the resources needed to enhance its effectiveness in engaging the diaspora community.”
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