Everyone across the world wants a Nigerian friend, says Dabiri-Erewa

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), says everyone across the world wants a Nigerian friend.

Dabiri-Erewa spoke on Thursday when she appeared before the national assembly joint committee on diaspora to defend the commission’s 2025 budget.

She said diaspora remittances in the last five years have exceeded $90 billion.

The commission’s chairperson said Nigerians in the diaspora spent about N60 billion during their visits to the country in December 2024.

“You know, we have reached a stage where in the last five years, we have shown that the diaspora is a powerful force, resource, and we cannot ignore them,” she said.

“And, you know, they are the number one ambassadors of our country. They will help us change the narrative of our country.

“And in fact, all over the world, everybody now wants to have a Nigerian as a friend. So let’s seize the moment. We can take over the world, and we will.

“President Bola Tinubu has brought in reforms that everybody should support. Tackling insecurity, building infrastructure, and taking the hard decisions that will make Nigeria a better place. So it’s very simple.

“We have 17 million of them. And how much did this generate for the growth of the economy? Remittances alone in the last five years have been over $90 billion.

“This December, of course, you know, it is not less than N60 billion in what they spent coming to Nigeria. It could grow but it is just scratching the surface.”

Dabiri-Erewa said more Nigerians in the diaspora visited the country in December due to years of consistent engagement by NiDCOM.

“I hosted them. In fact, I didn’t rest in December. My house turned into a hosting venue because they were all coming,” she said.

“And I was seeing one of them, particularly those young Nigerians. They have money to invest and they are willing to.

“Some of them are getting into local communities, local businesses. Even now, the most impressive one that we worked with, wants to start training young people in digital technology.”

She suggested the establishment of a diaspora plaza to serve as a hub for Nigerians abroad to connect and engage the government.

Dabiri-Erewa said this will help the country “truly appreciate what the diaspora has done”.