President Bola Tinubu has declared the Nigerian diaspora essential to the country’s future, applauding their economic, intellectual, and social contributions as pivotal to national development.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr. George Akume, at the 2025 National Diaspora Day event in Abuja on Friday night, Tinubu described Nigerians abroad as “ambassadors at large,” changing the country’s global narrative while investing in its growth.
“It is a great delight to address our over 20 million Nigerians in the diaspora on this auspicious occasion of the celebration of our National Diaspora Day 2025. Only Nigerians both at home and abroad can develop Nigeria,” he said.
The event, themed Optimising Formidable Diaspora Potentials for National Development and Growth, highlighted how diaspora engagement has become a cornerstone of Nigeria’s development strategy.
President Tinubu noted that Nigerians abroad remitted $20.9 billion through official channels in 2024 alone, over four times the country’s foreign direct investment within the same period.
Beyond remittances, he said Nigerians in the diaspora are actively investing in health care, education, real estate, technology, transportation, and other critical sectors.
“This is commendable and in our enlightened self-interest,” Tinubu stated, pledging to remove obstacles that hinder diaspora involvement in the nation’s progress.
“Our renewed hope for foreign policy recognises the diaspora as the fourth pillar for the agenda, namely democracy, demography, development, and diaspora. We will continue to provide an enabling platform for effective policies for the diaspora,” he assured.
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in his remarks, encouraged the diaspora community to rise above negative stereotypes and embrace their role in transforming Nigeria.
“Nigerians are breaking barriers and using ceilings as springboards to greatness across the world,” he said, highlighting the spirit of excellence and resilience that defines Nigerians globally.
