The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has emphasized that with the effective harnessing of the strengths of Nigerians in the Diaspora, the country can achieve significant economic growth, social development, and improved international standing.
Speaking on Thursday at the Diaspora Study Stakeholders Engagement Workshop organized by the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research in collaboration with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Ambassador Tuggar, represented by the Director of Economic Trade and Investment at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bolaji Akinremi, stated that Nigeria boasts one of the most dynamic and influential diaspora populations globally.
“Nigeria boasts one of the most dynamic and influential diaspora populations in the world. Across continents, Nigerians in the diaspora have made remarkable contributions to various sectors, including academia, medicine, technology, entrepreneurship, and diplomacy. Their remittances, expertise, and global networks serve as strategic assets that, when effectively harnessed, can propel Nigeria’s economic growth, social development, and international standing,” Akinremi said.
Akinremi emphasized that the workshop provided an important platform to engage relevant stakeholders in the proposed diaspora study, ensuring that its design and implementation align with national objectives and global best practices. He urged the need to leverage the insights and input of government agencies, businesses, and scholars to develop policies aimed at maximizing diaspora contributions.
“The success of this study will not only enhance diaspora engagement but also reinforce Nigeria’s position as a nation that values and integrates its global citizens in national development,” Akinremi added.
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, also spoke at the workshop, noting that Nigeria is fortunate to have one of the most resourceful and active diaspora groups in the world. According to Dabiri-Erewa, the expertise and networks of Nigerians abroad are largely untapped resources that could greatly aid the country’s economic and social transformation.
“Nigeria is blessed to have one of the world’s most resourceful and active diaspora groups, with professionals flourishing in a variety of fields across continents. One untapped resource that could greatly aid Nigeria’s economic and social change is the abundance of networks, expertise, and knowledge they hold,” Dabiri-Erewa remarked.
She further emphasized that the study aims to develop evidence-based policies and initiatives that will enable the diaspora to make significant contributions to Nigeria’s development. Key policy measures being considered include creating investment opportunities, establishing diaspora-specific investment funds, facilitating knowledge transfer through mentorship and training programs, and enabling easier access to markets and networks in Nigeria.
“This workshop is a platform to exchange ideas, dig into think-tanks of knowledge, refine strategies, and ensure that the study’s design and implementation are robust and inclusive,” she said. “Your insights, experiences, and recommendations will be invaluable in ensuring that this research leads to actionable policies that truly make an impact.”
The Director-General of NISER, Prof. Antonia Simbine, also highlighted Nigeria’s diaspora community as one of the largest and most influential in the world, with over 17 million Nigerians residing abroad. Simbine pointed out that the diaspora population possesses high-level professional expertise across various fields, including medicine, IT, engineering, education, finance, and entrepreneurship.
“Beyond remittances — which amounted to $23.8 billion in 2019 before declining to $19.5 billion in 2023 — the Nigerian diaspora contributes to national development in non-financial ways, including technology transfer, knowledge exchange, investment, and policy advocacy,” Simbine stated.
However, she noted that a significant portion of diaspora remittances (about 70%) is directed toward consumption rather than productive investments, which could spur large-scale industrial growth and innovation in Nigeria. Simbine underscored the importance of the study in identifying policy measures to enhance the efficiency and impact of diaspora contributions to Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
“This workshop provides a platform for engagement with key stakeholders — including government ministries, professional bodies, Nigerian diaspora organizations, embassies of our study countries, and academia — to ensure that the study design, implementation, and outcomes align with national development goals,” Simbine added.
