The Federal Government said diaspora home remittances in 2022 stood at $ 21.9 billion through official channels. President Bola Tinubu said this at the 17th annual National Diaspora Day (NDD), 2023, at the Conference Centre, Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday.

The theme of the day was: “Consolidating Diaspora Engagement for National Development”. Tinubu was represented by Femi Gbajabiamila, his Chief of Staff.

The President said Nigerians were excelling globally and contributing immensely to the country’s development through their resources, talents, skills and global exposure.

“In 2022, our Diaspora home remittances through official channels stood at US$ 21.9 billion, over four times the value of our Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

“The Nigerians in the Diaspora are also actively investing in healthcare, agriculture, education, information and communication technology, housing and real estate, sports, transportation, oil and gas and other sectors.

“This I must say is commendable and in our enlightened self-interest as only Nigerians both at home and abroad can develop Nigeria.” He also estimated Nigerians in the Diaspora at over 17 million and reiterated that the government held the Diaspora in high esteem and worked hard to uplift engagements with them.

He said parts of the engagement included the passage of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) (Establishment) Act in 2017, its take off in 2019, and approval and adoption of the National Diaspora Policy in 2021.

Tinubu also described the day as special owing to new initiatives by NiDCOM to celebrate contributions of the Diaspora champions with introduction of the maiden edition of the National Diaspora Merit Awards.

In her address, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman, NiDCOM, urged the federal government for a review of the Act setting up NiDCOM to streamline its activities by setting up a sustaining funding mechanism for the commission’s activities.

She urged government to support and conclude the setting up of Nigeria Diaspora Investment Fund as an investment window for the Diaspora, and the setting up of a Diaspora Intervention Fund for emergencies involving the Diaspora.

Highlights of the day included a cultural performance by the National Council for Arts and Culture, a musical interlude performed by Christiana Igbokwe, granddaughter of the late Nigerian musician, Christy Essien-Igbokwe, a saxophone played by OreOfe Sax, among others.