Nigerians living abroad spent an estimated N60 billion during their visits to Nigeria in December 2024, according to Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM). Dabiri-Erewa shared this figure during her appearance before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Diaspora to defend NIDCOM’s 2025 budget.
The NIDCOM chairman highlighted the significant contributions of the diaspora community to the country’s economy. She pointed out that remittances alone have exceeded $90 billion in the last five years. “This December, the amount spent by Nigerians visiting Nigeria is no less than N60 billion. It could even grow, but this is just the beginning,” she stated. Dabiri-Erewa emphasized the powerful role the diaspora plays in Nigeria’s economic growth, stating, “The diaspora is a powerful force and resource that we cannot afford to overlook.”
In a related development, Senator Victor Umeh, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora, expressed reservations about Nigeria’s preparedness for diaspora voting. “Before we allow people abroad to vote, we need to be well-organized,” Umeh stated. The Diaspora Voting Right Bill, which seeks to amend the Electoral Act, 2022, to allow Nigerians living abroad to vote, is still pending a public hearing.
Umeh raised concerns about the integrity of the voting process, warning, “If we don’t have reliable data, we could face a situation where, after completing all elections in Nigeria, we end up waiting for votes from abroad. Someone could potentially manipulate the system by submitting millions of votes from places like America.”
Dabiri-Erewa also introduced several initiatives aimed at strengthening the connection between Nigerians abroad and opportunities in the country. She mentioned the creation of a Diaspora Plaza, which would serve as a platform to connect Nigerians in the diaspora with local businesses and communities in Nigeria. “We are even working with diaspora communities on training young people in digital technology,” she added.
Senator Umeh further emphasized the need for increased funding for NIDCOM, which has faced financial challenges. He assured that the National Assembly would advocate for a budgetary increase to support NIDCOM’s efforts, stressing that the diaspora community is crucial to Nigeria’s development.
For more updates, join our WhatsApp channel here: Chronicles Reporters WhatsApp Channel.