President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians living abroad to always remember their homeland.
Speaking at the 2024 National Diaspora Day Celebrations in Abuja on Thursday, Tinubu, represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, shared his personal experience of living and working overseas before returning to contribute to Nigeria’s development.
Reflecting on his own journey, Tinubu recounted his time in the United States during the 1970s, where he studied and worked before returning to Nigeria. He emphasized the transformative potential of migration and urged Nigerians abroad to use their experiences to support his administration’s development agenda.
“As someone who once lived and worked abroad, I understand how migration can be both transformative and challenging. After my time in the United States, I returned to Nigeria to contribute to our nation-building efforts. I urge our citizens abroad to remember there is no place like home and to bring back their valuable experiences to support our development,” Tinubu said.
Acknowledging the reasons many Nigerians seek opportunities abroad, Tinubu stressed that the government does not hold any grievances against them. Instead, he encouraged the diaspora community to maintain a connection with their homeland.
“As we celebrate our diaspora community, we recognize the impact of migration on our collective growth. While we understand and respect the pursuit of better opportunities abroad, we encourage our citizens not to forget their roots,” Tinubu remarked.
Highlighting the economic contributions of Nigerians abroad, Tinubu revealed that diaspora remittances amounted to $646 million between January and May 2024. He noted that recent reforms by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have fostered trust and increased remittances, with significant monthly inflows.
“In January, remittances totaled $138.56 million, followed by $39 million in February, $104 million in March, $193 million in April, and $365 million in May 2024. This progression reflects the positive impact of the CBN’s mandatory reforms,” Tinubu stated.
Tinubu also shared statistics from the Nigeria High Commission in Ottawa, Canada, estimating that between 200,000 to 250,000 Nigerians reside in Canada. He noted that broader estimates suggest between 10 million and 114 million Nigerians live abroad, with many in other African countries.
Further, Tinubu cited recent data from the Nigerian Immigration Service, revealing a significant increase in emigration, with 3.7 million Nigerians leaving the country between 2022 and September 2023. Conversely, Nigeria also welcomed 1.3 million immigrants during the same period, ranking it 46th globally in terms of immigrant population.
In his address, Tinubu underscored the importance of the diaspora community in Nigeria’s development and urged them to remain connected and contribute to the nation’s progress.
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