By Muhammad Mamman
President Bola Tinubu has revealed that Nigerians abroad channelled a staggering $16.6 billion ($20.93bn) in remittances through official routes in 2024, dwarfing Nigeria’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) by a factor of four.
Speaking at the vibrant National Diaspora Day and Merit Award 2025, hosted by the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) in Abuja on Friday, the President, represented by Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, hailed the diaspora’s transformative contributions.
He spotlighted NiDCOM’s stellar initiatives, including the National Diaspora Day, the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit, the Diaspora Mortgage Scheme, and the Diaspora Data Mapping project.
“It’s heartening to celebrate our diaspora’s achievements every 25th July,” Akume declared. “These global ambassadors elevate Nigeria’s image while investing robustly in healthcare, agriculture, education, ICT, housing, sports, transport, oil, and gas. Only Nigerians, at home and abroad, can truly drive our nation’s progress.”
Sharon Dimanche, Chief of Mission for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Nigeria, lauded NiDCOM’s exceptional organisation and impactful results. “The World Bank reports global remittances hit $718 billion ($905bn) in 2024, with Sub-Saharan Africa receiving $44.4 billion ($56bn).
Nigeria alone secured $16.6 billion, a remarkable 8.9% surge from last year, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria,” she noted.
These funds, Dimanche added, act as a critical economic lifeline, bolstering households, education, healthcare, and livelihoods nationwide.
