Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), revealed that Nigerians living abroad spent approximately N60 billion during their visits to Nigeria in December 2024. Dabiri-Erewa highlighted this as part of the growing impact of the diaspora on the Nigerian economy, emphasizing that remittances alone have surpassed $90 billion in the past five years.

Dabiri-Erewa made these comments during her appearance before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Diaspora to defend NIDCOM’s 2025 budget. She praised the diaspora for their contributions, noting the increasing interest in investing and engaging in nation-building activities. She also mentioned efforts to foster stronger connections with Nigerians abroad, including the proposed creation of a Diaspora Plaza to serve as a hub for engagement and investment opportunities.

While the diaspora’s role in Nigeria’s economy continues to grow, Senator Victor Umeh, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora, expressed concerns over Nigeria’s readiness for diaspora voting. He emphasized the need for a reliable electoral process and data infrastructure before introducing voting rights for Nigerians living abroad. Umeh assured that the committee would push for increased funding for NIDCOM to ensure its effectiveness in engaging with the diaspora community.

Dabiri-Erewa also noted that the influx of Nigerians from the diaspora in December was a result of years of consistent engagement, and she is optimistic about the future impact of the diaspora on Nigeria’s development.