Nigerians living overseas spent around ₦60 billion in December 2024 when they visited Nigeria, according to Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM).
She emphasised that remittances from the diaspora have topped $90 billion in the last five years, highlighting the diaspora’s important contribution to Nigeria’s economic growth.
The diaspora community is a “powerful force” for nation-building, according to Dabiri-Erewa, who highlighted their economic contributions and growing interest in investing in local companies and communities.
She suggested creating a Diaspora Plaza to act as a meeting place for Nigerians living overseas to get in touch with local authorities and look into job openings.
Senator Victor Umeh, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora, voiced concerns over Nigeria’s willingness to grant voting rights to its nationals residing overseas, pointing out that solid election procedures and trustworthy data are required before taking such action.
