The Chief Executive of the Commission for Diaspora Nigerians, Dr Abike Dabiri Erewa, said diaspora remittances were the largest source of foreign exchange earnings to Nigeria.
The NIDCOM CEO spoke on Saturday at the Afe Babalola University Convocation, Ado Ekiti, in a lecture entitled “Diaspora Engagement for National Development” as part of the activities of the 12th Convocation Ceremony of the University.
Dabiri-Erewa said diaspora nationals are “engaged individually and collectively in all sectors of the Nigerian economy.” There are many other commercial endeavors by Nigerians in the diaspora worth millions of dollars that are positively contributing to the gross domestic product and development of the country. ”
“Discrete remittances are the largest source of foreign exchange to Nigeria and contribute more to Nigeria’s gross domestic product than oil,” the NIDCOM chief said, adding, “According to the CBN, in July 2024, Nigeria “We recorded a record high of $553 million in discrete remittances.” ”
She advised against unnecessary migration abroad in the name of ‘Japa’ and said there was no point in traveling abroad with grievances.
She said NIDCOM, through its programmes, had addressed the challenges of diaspora engagement, including the huge trust deficit among Nigerians in the diaspora, Nigerians within Nigeria and the government.
Mr. Dabiri-Erewa called on Nigerians in the diaspora to work with the commission to complement the government’s efforts to achieve sustainable development, saying, “We all have the same goal of developing Nigeria. If we are united in purpose,” he said.
She explored cooperation on staff and student exchange programs between Nigerian universities and nationals of the diaspora.
Professor Dabiri-Erewa said student exchange programs should target second- and third-generation Nigerians from the diaspora “who can bring a unique perspective to the university community.”
She said, “ABUAD and the Nigerian Diaspora can collaborate by implementing staff and student exchange programs, collaborative research to address global challenges, and sabbaticals for Nigerian diaspora instructors.”
She said the collaboration would provide university staff and students with experiences in different educational environments and cultural backgrounds, while leveraging the diverse expertise of diaspora researchers to foster knowledge exchange. is.
Professor Dabiri Erewa praised ABUAD for its collaboration with King’s College London, which will allow ABUAD students to link up with other world universities and access the university from campus, adding: “I would like to encourage the university to establish a diaspora center.・We encourage the establishment of a center of excellence that can offer courses on diaspora-related issues and also serve as a research center.”
Mr. Afe Babalola, Founder of ABUAD, said the country is endowed with both human and natural resources and encouraged the people, especially the youth, to consider leaving the country and seeking greener pastures abroad. I urged you to avoid it.
He said, “Over the past 15 years, ABUAD has made an impact on the country’s education and health sectors, leading local and international organizations to rank the university among the best in the country and the world.”
“Let me say that Africans were born to lead the world. In less than 15 years, we have built a university rated first in the world and a hospital rated the best in Africa. Our students are the best, and they are the next ones who will make this country great.”
