Dabiri-Erewa Calls on Nigerians Abroad to Champion ‘Nigeria First’ for National Progress. By Raymond Enoch
In a compelling address at the 12th Convocation of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), urged Nigerians living abroad to actively support the nation’s development by embracing the ‘Nigeria First’ policy. She emphasized that the collective efforts of Nigerians, both at home and abroad, are essential for achieving sustainable national progress.
Dabiri-Erewa highlighted the significant contributions of the diaspora, noting that remittances from Nigerians abroad have become the highest source of foreign exchange for the country, surpassing oil revenues. In July 2024 alone, Nigeria recorded $553 million in diaspora remittances, marking the highest ever in the nation’s history.
She also pointed out that Nigerians in the diaspora spent approximately N60 billion during the 2024 Christmas holiday visits, underscoring their economic impact during festive periods.
Dabiri-Erewa called for strategic collaboration between the federal government and its citizens, both at home and abroad, to harness the diaspora’s potential for national development. She emphasized that such partnerships could take various forms, including individual or group engagements through government programs aimed at complementing efforts toward sustainable development.
In conclusion, Dabiri-Erewa urged Nigerians in the diaspora to unite with a single purpose to develop Nigeria, stating, “It would not be easy but we will go far and fast if we all unite with a single purpose to develop Nigeria.”
Her call to action underscores the pivotal role of the Nigerian diaspora in shaping the nation’s future and the importance of their active participation in national development initiatives.
