Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), has revealed that Nigerians living abroad spent a staggering N60 billion during their visits to the country in December 2024. This significant expenditure underscores the substantial economic impact of the diaspora community on Nigeria’s economy.
Over the past five years, remittances from the diaspora have surpassed $90 billion, demonstrating the critical role they play in Nigeria’s economic growth. Dabiri-Erewa emphasized the diaspora community’s contributions to the economy, their growing interest in investing in local businesses and communities, and their willingness to train young Nigerians in digital technology.
The large influx of Nigerians abroad during the holiday season was attributed to years of consistent engagement with the diaspora. Dabiri-Erewa proposed establishing a Diaspora Plaza, a hub for Nigerians abroad to connect with government officials and explore opportunities within the country.
However, Senator Victor Umeh, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora, expressed reservations about Nigeria’s readiness to extend voting rights to citizens living abroad. Umeh emphasized the need for reliable data and a robust electoral process before implementing diaspora voting.
Both Dabiri-Erewa and Umeh called for increased funding for NIDCOM to enhance its capacity to engage with the diaspora effectively. Umeh noted that the commission’s international scope requires significant resources, and the National Assembly is committed to advocating for a larger budget allocation in 2025.
source : https://www.thisdaylive.com/
