Nigerians in the diaspora are becoming a force to reckon with on the international level. Whether in Europe, America or Asia, Nigerians have made themselves relevant in their chosen fields ranging from the health sector to tech. Some Nigerians in the diaspora even occupy key governmental positions. They include Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who is the current Director General of the World Trade Organisation; Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, the current President of the African Development Bank; and Wally Adeyemo, the current US Deputy Treasury Secretary, among others.
According to a report by The Cable, Nigeria leads sub-Sahara Africa in terms of diaspora remittances, with $23 billion in 2019 alone and sixth in the world after India ($79 billion), China ($67 billion), Mexico ($36 billion), Philippines ($34 billion) and Egypt ($29 billion).
Despite these massive contributions, Nigerians in the diaspora seem to be generally underrated. Therefore, this article is about Nigerians in Diaspora and how to join the Nigeria Diaspora Network.
What is the Nigerian diaspora?
In simple terms, Nigerian diaspora refers to Nigerians who live outside Nigeria. These Nigerians migrate to other countries for various reasons, such as studies and work.
Historically, Nigeria has been involved with international migration since the pre-colonial era. According to Nairametrics, the Nigerian diaspora began with the Hausa transnational links that found its best expression in the trans-Saharan trade, especially between the 14th and 16th centuries. This was also the period that witnessed pilgrimages to Mecca and Medina. However, the trans-Atlantic slave trade marked a significant milestone as many Nigerians were forced to the New World. Also, in the pre-colonial era, Nigerians moved to other African countries such as Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Benin Republic and Ghana to work for plantations, mines and public administration.
In the same period, many Nigerians began to move to the United Kingdom, primarily for higher education. Later, the United States of America became one of the hottest destinations for Nigerians who wished to further their education in higher institutions. Most had the intention to come back to Nigeria and take up positions vacated by the departing British. However, some decided to stay back in their host countries and naturalise there.
After independence, the quest to “Japa” to other countries for studies and greener pastures continued. In the 1980s, Nigerians began to move into non-English speaking countries like Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Ireland and the Gulf States. Within Africa, the hottest destinations for Nigerians were Gabon, Botswana and South Africa.
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Today, the story has not changed. Nigerians are leaving the country in droves. The hottest destinations now are the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada. The Gulf states, led by Saudi Arabia, are hot destinations for mainly Nigerians from the North. The reasons for the migration remain the same – the dismal state of the Nigerian higher education system, unemployment, violence, environmental degradation, lack of an enabling social infrastructure, political instability and extreme poverty.
Statistics on Nigerians in Diaspora remain unclear. However, the number of Nigerians living outside Nigeria has almost tripled between 1990 and June 2020, from 447,411 (UNICEF Migration Profiles) to 1,670,455 in June 2020 (United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division).
Nigerian Diaspora Commission
The Nigerian Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) is a body established by the Federal Government to provide for the engagement of Nigerians in the Diaspora in the policies, projects and participation in the development of Nigeria. The main purpose of the commission is to utilise the human capital and material resources of Nigerians in Diaspora towards the overall socio-economic, cultural and political development of Nigeria.
Established in 2017 under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the current Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM is Abike Dabiri-Erewa. According to the NiDCOM Act, the chairman and members of the Commission shall be appointed by the President, subject to confirmation by the Senate. They shall hold office for 4 years and may be re-appointed for a further term of 4 years and no more.
The board is responsible for the general administration of the Commission, including formulating general policies for the regulation and development of the Commission.
According to the NiDCOM website, other functions of the commission include the following:
- Managing funds for the day-to-day running of the commission.
- Mobilize and execute programmes in collaboration with the federal government on major areas of accelerated development.
- Coordinate and harmonise all continental Nigeria diaspora organisations.
- Advise the government at all levels on matters related to this Act.
- Carry out training for the staff of the Commission.
- Set up a worldwide council (which consists of continental, regional and local leaders).
- Reach out to Nigerian communities abroad through their various groups, organisations and professional bodies.
- Articulate its mandate and that of the Government properly and widely.
- Strengthen the existing administrative set-up of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO).
- Work with the NIDO, the professional sub-committees, sub-committees on the professional groups and the various socio-cultural groups.
- Design criteria for membership participation.
- Establish departments, whose functions shall be determined by the board.
How to join the Nigerian Diaspora Network
The Nigeria Diaspora Network (NDN) is a body of Nigerian professionals abroad established to lend logistics and media support to leaders and candidates, particularly young ones, kicking off projects and founding new organisations to fight for the shared progressive values of Nigerians.
However, the NDN website was unavailable as of the time of this writing this article. But you can join the body’s Facebook page to get the latest updates on the organisation.
The importance of Nigerians in the diaspora cannot be overemphasised. They have contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of Nigeria for years. Therefore, underrating them will not do anyone good.
Luckily, the Federal Government, under the immediate past Muhammadu Buhari-led administration recognised and established NiDCOM to connect with Nigerians abroad to foster the development of the country. NDN is also doing its part, especially in encouraging young people to run for leadership positions in Nigeria. Furthermore, Nigerians in the diaspora have remitted funds into the country spanning billions of dollars. More still needs to be done.
Therefore, it is in the country’s interest to encourage more Nigerian organisations, communities, and bodies in diaspora to help make the country the Giant of Africa as it should be.
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