Nigerians Abroad Spent N60 Billion During 2024 Christmas Holiday Visits – NiDCOM

Nigerians Abroad Spent N60 Billion During 2024 Christmas Holiday Visits – NiDCOM
Nigerians in the diaspora spent approximately N60 billion during their visits to the country in December 2024, according to Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).
Dabiri-Erewa made the announcement during the 2025 budget defense session before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Diaspora in Abuja.
She emphasized that Nigerians abroad have proven to be a significant economic force, contributing immensely to the country’s financial growth.
“The diaspora is a powerful force and a resource we cannot ignore,” Dabiri-Erewa stated.
“In the last five years, remittances alone have exceeded $90 billion. Our diaspora community is the number one ambassador of Nigeria. They are essential in changing the global narrative about our country.”
The NiDCOM Chairman further praised the ongoing efforts by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, including tackling insecurity and improving infrastructure.
She encouraged full support for the president’s reforms aimed at bettering Nigeria.
Dabiri-Erewa also highlighted that the diaspora community, which includes 17 million Nigerians, generated a significant portion of this economic growth. “This December alone, they spent no less than N60 billion visiting Nigeria. This number could grow, but it’s just scratching the surface,” she said.
Building Stronger Connections
The large influx of diaspora Nigerians during the 2024 holiday season, Dabiri-Erewa attributed, was a result of years of sustained engagement with the community.
NiDCOM, under her leadership, has fostered close ties with Nigerians abroad, creating platforms for collaboration and development.
The commission is exploring innovative funding strategies to enhance its financial capacity.
This includes working closely with the National Assembly’s committee on Diaspora to find solutions that can benefit the country’s relationship with its diaspora community.
As part of these efforts, Dabiri-Erewa proposed the creation of a Diaspora Plaza, a space where Nigerians abroad could connect, interact with government officials, and learn about investment opportunities in the country.
Dabiri-Erewa also shared that numerous discussions took place at her residence during the holiday season, noting that many young Nigerians abroad are eager to invest in their home country.
Senate Committee Reacts to Diaspora Voting Concerns
After the budget session, Senator Victor Umeh, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora (APGA-Anambra), raised concerns about Nigeria’s readiness for diaspora voting.
Umeh argued that before extending voting rights to Nigerians abroad, the country must address its electoral process challenges.
“We must first manage our elections at home before we open up the right to vote for Nigerians in the diaspora,” Umeh said.
“Without reliable data and systems, allowing diaspora voting could lead to grave consequences.”
Umeh explained that while the government is preparing for the eventual inclusion of diaspora voting, it is essential to establish the right infrastructure first.
“The NIDCOM is doing all it can to document Nigerians living abroad—whether in America, Europe, Africa, or Asia,” Umeh said.
“We need to know where they are so that the data will be reliable before exposing them to elections. If we are not prepared with reliable data, foreign votes could cause chaos.”
NiDCOM’s Budget Concerns
Senator Umeh also stressed that funding remains a significant issue for NiDCOM.
He noted that the budget provisions for the commission in 2024 were inadequate, and the National Assembly had worked hard to secure additional funds.
“This year, we will continue our push for more funding for NiDCOM,” Umeh said.
“The National Assembly is committed to supporting the commission in achieving its mandate.”
He reiterated that the diaspora community represents an untapped potential that could significantly contribute to Nigeria’s development.
The committee, he added, is satisfied with the leadership of NiDCOM and the efforts made so far, but it is up to the National Assembly to ensure the agency has the resources it needs to succeed.
“The committee will continue to fight for an increase in NiDCOM’s budget in 2025. The diaspora community is a valuable resource, and the government must harness its potential for the benefit of the country,” Umeh said.
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