By Samuel Timothy
Abuja, Nigeria – President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians living abroad to remember that there is no place like home and to consider returning to contribute to the nation’s development. Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, President Tinubu delivered this message at the 2024 National Diaspora Day Celebrations held in Abuja on Thursday.
Reflecting on his personal journey, Tinubu shared, “As someone who once lived and worked abroad, I can attest that migration can be transformative and serious. In the 1970s, I went to the United States, where I studied and worked, before returning to Nigeria to contribute to nation-building.” He emphasized the importance of Nigerians abroad bringing back their experiences to support his administration’s development agenda.
The President assured that the government holds no grudges against those who travel abroad seeking better opportunities but urged them not to forget their homeland. “As we celebrate our diaspora community, we must acknowledge the implications of this phenomenon for our collective growth. We cannot begrudge our citizens who are seeking better opportunities abroad, but we must urge them not to forget their homeland,” Tinubu stated.
Highlighting the economic impact of the diaspora, Tinubu revealed that Nigeria received $646 million in remittances between January and May 2024. He credited the Central Bank of Nigeria’s recent reforms for this significant influx, noting the monthly progression: $138.56 million in January, $39 million in February, $104 million in March, $193 million in April, and $365 million in May.
Tinubu also addressed the Nigerian diaspora’s demographics, citing an estimate from the Nigeria High Commission in Ottawa, Canada, that places the Nigerian population in Canada between 200,000 and 250,000. He further mentioned broader estimates indicating that 10 million to 114 million Nigerians reside abroad, primarily in other African countries.
Additionally, the Nigerian Immigration Service reported a significant increase in emigration, with 3.7 million citizens leaving the country between 2022 and September 2023. However, during the same period, Nigeria received 1.3 million immigrants, making it the 46th country globally with the most immigrants.
President Tinubu’s message underscores the crucial role of the Nigerian diaspora in the nation’s development and the government’s commitment to leveraging their contributions for Nigeria’s growth.
