The Chief Executive of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, says Nigerians in the Diaspora have remitted about $90 billion in the last five years to shore up the Nigerian economy for national development.
Dabiri-Erewa said at the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER) Workshop in Collaboration with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) in Abuja that there was need for accurate and sufficient data to provide a deeper understanding of the contributions, challenges and opportunities within the Nigerian professional community in the diaspora.
Speaking on the theme of the workshop, ”A Six-Continent Survey of Nigerian Professionals in Diaspora: Policy Measures for Harnessing Contributions to National Development“, Dabiri-Erewa noted that the theme of the workshop is highly relevant, as it will help map out key skills, identify emerging talents, and establish effective ways to engage them.
She stated that by leveraging the derived data, NiDCOM can implement targeted policies that facilitate robust diaspora engagement, foster stronger ties with Nigeria, and maximise their invaluable contributions to national development.
The NIDCOM boss commended Prof. Antonia Taiye Simbine, Director-General of NISER for spearheading the initiative and expressed optimism about further collaborations between the two institutions.
In her remarks, Simbine told the participants that the study was aimed at moving beyond remittances and ensure all-round diaspora participation in Nigeria’s development.
She noted that with over 17 million Nigerians in the diaspora, the insights from this research will provide a foundation for strategic policies that leverage diaspora expertise and investments for national growth.
The Director General, Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), expressed gratitude to the NiDCOM Boss for her support towards the event and her efforts in engaging the diaspora for the country’s growth and development.
GIK/APA