Ahead of the 2027 election, stakeholders have called for diaspora voting rights to be recognised and enabled as a natural extension of the diaspora’s financial contributions.
This call was made at the recent News Central Diaspora Town Hall, which convened a powerful dialogue on the pivotal role of Nigeria’s diaspora in the nation’s development, spotlighting the critical link between diaspora remittances and democratic inclusion.
The stakeholders maintained that diaspora remittances must be matched by political recognition and inclusion.
According to them, diaspora remittances are a lifeline, sustaining families and fueling economic activity across Nigeria.
Councillor Hephzibah Olugbemi underscored the staggering economic power wielded by Nigerians abroad, highlighting that in July alone, $553 million was remitted to Nigeria.
She emphasised that the diaspora’s influence extends beyond money, calling for Nigerians overseas to make their voices heard not just with their money but with their vote.
President of Nigerians in the Diaspora, New York State, Bobby Digi Olisa, underscored the need for infrastructural frameworks to support diaspora participation.
“We need NIN and BVN registration. As the diaspora invests billions into the motherland, they should surely have the right to vote,” he said.
He highlighted that pilot programs for diaspora voting are possible; other countries already do absentee ballots and biometric verification, and Nigeria must catch up.
His statements emphasised that diaspora political inclusion is not just a fairness issue but a practical necessity aligned with Nigeria’s global standing.
Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation in Europe (NIDO), Chibuzor Ubochi, stated that diaspora voting is their right, not a favour. He framed voting as an intrinsic right of every Nigerian, including those abroad who significantly sustain the nation through remittances.
Data from multiple sources show diaspora remittances to Nigeria reached approximately $19.5 billion in 2023 and are projected to hit $26 billion by 2025, reflecting both resilience and growth in formal remittance channels. These inflows consistently exceed Nigeria’s oil revenues and contribute substantially to the federal budget, highlighting the diaspora’s outsized role in the national economy.
The stakeholders further called for transparent, secure electronic voting systems that integrate diaspora input, ensuring that Nigerians abroad can exercise their democratic rights fully.
Empowering the diaspora politically, they said, will reinforce their economic contributions and foster a more inclusive, accountable governance system critical for Nigeria’s sustainable growth and unity.
