Nigerian Diaspora Contributes $20 Billion Annually, Says NiDCOM Chief.
Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has revealed that approximately 20 million Nigerians, predominantly youths, reside overseas and contribute a staggering $20 billion in annual remittances to Nigeria’s economy.
Speaking at the First Thematic Meeting of the Rabat Process in Abuja, themed ‘Youth, Innovation and Education: Driving the Future of Migration,’ Dabiri-Erewa highlighted the significant economic impact of the Nigerian diaspora. The meeting, co-chaired by Nigeria and Spain, brought together delegates from 57 European and African nations.
“The over 20 million Nigerians in the diaspora are a major component of our overall development and an economic force that cannot be ignored,” she stated. “Their $20 billion in home remittances accounts for about 5.7% of Nigeria’s GDP and is eleven times the Foreign Direct Investment for the year.”
Dabiri-Erewa described the diaspora as well-educated, resilient, and patriotic, with expertise spanning agriculture, education, health, ICT, real estate, transportation, sports, and trade. She urged stronger laws and prosecution to combat human trafficking and irregular migration, which undermine these contributions.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to reshaping migration narratives under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership. As Chair of the Rabat Process, Nigeria aims to adopt an inclusive, development-focused, and youth-centred approach.
Gautier Mignot, Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, stressed that migration must not be weaponised or used to scapegoat migrants for economic or criminal issues. “Respect for human rights, the rule of law, and protection of migrants from exploitation and trafficking are essential principles uniting the Rabat Process,” he said.
Pilar Jimenez, Spain’s Ambassador at Large for Migration Affairs, expressed hope that insights from African professionals would strengthen Spain’s ties with the continent.
The NiDCOM boss’s remarks come alongside related developments, including a 12-year-old Nigerian set to compete in a US spelling bee and the handover of 231 rescued Nigerians from Ghana to NiDCOM and NAPTIP, underscoring the diaspora’s growing influence and Nigeria’s efforts to address migration challenges.
