Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has highlighted the growing admiration for Nigerians globally, saying, "Everyone across the world wants a Nigerian as a friend."
Speaking before the national assembly joint committee on diaspora to defend NiDCOM’s 2025 budget on Thursday, Dabiri-Erewa emphasized the significant contributions of Nigerians in the diaspora to the country’s economy and global image.
According to her, diaspora remittances over the last five years have exceeded a staggering $90 billion. Additionally, during December 2024 alone, Nigerians visiting from abroad spent over N60 billion in the country.
Dabiri-Erewa described the Nigerian diaspora as the nation's “number one ambassadors,” playing a critical role in reshaping the country's global narrative.
“You know, we have reached a stage where, in the last five years, we have shown that the diaspora is a powerful force and resource that cannot be ignored,” she said. “They will help us change the narrative of our country. And, in fact, all over the world, everybody now wants to have a Nigerian as a friend.”
She urged Nigerians to capitalize on this momentum, expressing confidence that the diaspora community, with President Bola Tinubu’s reforms tackling insecurity and boosting infrastructure, could contribute even more to Nigeria's growth.
The NiDCOM chairperson praised the increasing number of Nigerians abroad returning to invest in local communities and industries. She shared her personal experience hosting young diaspora Nigerians over the holiday season, describing them as passionate about creating opportunities in areas like digital technology.
“These young Nigerians have money to invest, and they are willing to. Some are already getting involved in local businesses and communities. One of the most impressive ones we worked with is focused on training young people in digital technology,” she said.
To further strengthen ties, Dabiri-Erewa proposed the creation of a diaspora plaza—a dedicated space for Nigerians abroad to connect and engage with the government. She noted that such a hub would help the nation fully appreciate the invaluable contributions of its diaspora community.
With 17 million Nigerians living abroad, Dabiri-Erewa concluded, “We can take over the world, and we will.”
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