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Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission
(NIDCOM) has commended Nigerians in the Diaspora on the rise of
remittances in the first quarter of the year, by 20.3 per cent,
representing the seventh consecutive quarterly increase in diaspora
remittances since last quarter in 2020.
In a statement by the Commission’s Head of Media and Public Relations,
Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Dabiri-Erewa said that increase in remittances by
Nigerians abroad which has played a significant role in the
country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), has a great impact on
socio-economic growth of the country
She said, “As the world recovers from the global pandemic and confronts
instability of many kinds, we want to honor the efforts of all those who
continue to support their loved ones despite the challenging
circumstances.”
According to the NIDCOM boss, the recent figures released by the Central
Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed an increase in remittances in quarter one
of 2022 to $5.16 billion from $ 4.29 billion same period in 2021.
Also, the ‘Naira 4 Dollar Scheme’ created by the Central Bank of Nigeria
(CBN) in 2021, attracted $2.4 billion in diaspora remittances within
eight months, surpassing the figure reported in 2021.
She said NiDCOM will continue to push for more engagement with our
diaspora who are an indisputable economic factor and are becoming an
investment factor in the country, noting that many Nigerians abroad are
investing in agriculture, real estate, health, education and ICT,
amongst others.
Dabiri-Erewa implored all stakeholders to continue engagement for
Diaspora Voting with the National Assembly to amend relevant sections of
the law to enable INEC to do the needful.
She assured Nigerians abroad that details of Nigerians Diaspora
Investment Trust Fund (NDITF) will soon be unveiled as a platform for
structured diaspora investments, just as Diaspora mortgage and housing
facilities are some of the programmes being introduced by NIDCOM for the
welfare of the citizens abroad.
Similarly, 33 states now have State Diaspora Focal Point Officers with
Abia setting up Abia Diaspora Agency, while Edo and Enugu are almost set
with their own agencies just as Ondo and Anambra states have
Commissioners.
She also described the Diasporans as a valuable asset worth more than
the billions of naira they sent home as remittances as they are
contributing immensely to national development through training and
capacity development.
Stressing that no nation can develop without its diaspora, she
emphasized the need for Nigerians at home and in diaspora to work
together.
It is expected that by the end of the 2022 financial year, the
remittances from Nigerians in the Diaspora from official sources would
have increased from its current $22 billion to about $25 billion.
