President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed the pivotal role of Nigerians in the Diaspora in accelerating national growth, declaring them a cornerstone of his administration’s renewed development strategy. Speaking through Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, during the 2025 National Diaspora Day celebration at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu reiterated his commitment to deeper engagement with the estimated 20 million Nigerians living abroad.
Describing the Diaspora community as a “formidable force of innovation, resilience, and economic power,” the President praised their vital contributions—especially the official remittances which hit an impressive $20.93 billion in 2024, over four times Nigeria’s total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the same period.
“The Renewed Hope Foreign Policy recognizes the Diaspora as the fourth pillar of our national strategy—alongside Democracy, Demography, and Development,” Tinubu noted, emphasizing his government’s plan to resolve challenges faced by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) to unlock the full value of migration and global Nigerian expertise.
Senator Akume, who officially opened the event, said the theme — “Optimizing Formidable Diaspora Potentials for National Development and Growth” — reflects Tinubu’s vision of harnessing global Nigerian talent to drive national prosperity. He highlighted flagship projects like the National Diaspora Merit Award, the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit, and the cultural revival through the Badagry Door of Return Festival, all led by NiDCOM.
NiDCOM Chairperson, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in her address, hailed Nigerians abroad as “barrier breakers and pacesetters,” noting that over $99 billion has been remitted into the Nigerian economy over the past six years. She emphasized the Commission’s key initiatives including the Diaspora Mortgage Scheme, Diaspora Investment Trust Fund, and Nigeria Diaspora Data Mapping Project, which aim to streamline opportunities for global Nigerians to invest back home.
Dabiri-Erewa proposed a Presidential Diaspora Fellowship Programme to facilitate short-term sabbaticals for professionals abroad to return and contribute to domestic innovation and capacity building.
International development partners also lauded Nigeria’s commitment to Diaspora engagement. Isabelle Wolfsgruber, Head of Office at the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), commended NiDCOM’s work, highlighting collaborations like the EU-funded FMM West Africa II project, which aims to institutionalize diaspora engagement in national planning.
Similarly, Ms. Sharon Dimanche, Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Nigeria, stressed that the value of Nigeria’s global citizens goes beyond remittances. “Nigerian professionals are transforming sectors globally while staying deeply connected to their homeland,” she said, urging continued collaboration to tap into this transnational potential—particularly from the youth-driven digital economy.
As Nigeria marks the 7th edition of its National Diaspora Day, the 2025 Diaspora Day highlights not only renewed hope but also actionable policies aimed at transforming the global Nigerian experience into tangible local impact. With initiatives set to bridge home and abroad, Tinubu’s Diaspora policy stands as a strong testament to the power of global citizens in shaping Nigeria’s future.
