The Nigerians abroad have put over $ 20 billion in 2024 – Minister of Foreign Affairs

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, revealed that the Nigerian remittances in the diaspora have exceeded $ 20 billion in 2024, describing the contribution as a vital push for the economy of the nation.

Tuggar revealed him on Monday during a work visit to the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (Nidcom) in Abuja, where he praised the leadership of the President of the Commission, Abike Dabiri-Eowa, for having made the interests of the Nigerians who live abroad.

The minister said that the figure underlined the economic meaning of the diaspora, observing that over 17 million Nigerians reside on different continents, excelled in different sectors such as medicine, engineering, entrepreneurship, academy, sports and creative industry.

“Only in 2024, the remittances from the Nigerians abroad amounted to over $ 20 billion. This is not just a financial figure; it is an anchor of salvation for our economy and a testimony of their lasting commitment for national development,” said Tuggar.

He underlined that beyond the economic contribution, the Nigerians abroad act as cultural ambassadors that project the legacy, resilience and innovation of the country, thus modeling the positive perceptions of Nigeria globally.

The minister reiterated the doctrine of foreign policy of the “four DS” of President Bola Tinubu – development, demography, diaspora and democracy – provides that the commitment of the diaspora is fundamental for the mandate of Nidcom.

Tuggar urged Nidcom to design structured programs that would have deepened the relationship between Nigerians abroad and their homeland, including initiatives to improve the knowledge of the history, culture and aspirations of the nation.

“This prolonged commitment will guarantee that our youth of the diaspora remains connected to the heartbeat of the nation, proud of their inheritance and engaged in the progress of Nigeria, regardless of where they reside,” he added.

In his response, Dabiri-Erewa praised the diaspora community for their investments in critical sectors, citing the establishment of a state-of-the-art stroke center in the IMO State and a hospital for cancer in Lagos as significant contributions.

He revealed that Nidcom had embarked on a diaspora’s mapping project to acquire accurate information on Nigerians abroad, their locations and contributions, lifting them to register on the official portal of the Commission on www.nidcom.ng.gov.

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