President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged Nigerians living abroad to use their experience to aid the country’s growth.
He was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, at the 2024 National Diaspora Day celebrations in Abuja on Thursday.
“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.
“I, therefore, urge our citizens who relocate abroad to remember that there is no place like home. We expect them to bring back their experiences to support our development agenda,” he said.
“As we celebrate our diaspora community, we must acknowledge the implication 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.”
He said Nigeria had received $646 million in diaspora remittances between January and May 2024.
He said, “The CBN has recently introduced some reforms in the sector, and the reforms are yielding fast results. In January, remittances totalled $138.56 million. We recorded $39 million in February, $104 million in March, $193 million in April, and $365 million in May 2024.
“The progression reflects the level of trust and the positive impacts of the mandatory reforms implemented by the Central Bank.”
Tinubu said between 10 million and 14 million Nigerians are in the diaspora, with most living in other African countries.
