Nigerian Diaspora's Holiday Spending Spike: Detty December's N60bn Impact Revealed

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), stated that Nigerians living abroad spent around N60 billion on visits to the country in December 2024.
She also revealed that over the last five years, remittances from the diaspora had exceeded $90 billion, highlighting the diaspora's essential contribution in Nigeria's economic success.
 

Dabiri-Erewa made these remarks when defending the commission's 2025 budget to the National Assembly Joint Committee on Diaspora yesterday.
She praised the diaspora population as a "powerful force" for nation-building, citing their economic contributions and increased interest in investing in local businesses and communities.
 

The NIDCOM chief stated that the significant influx of Nigerians overseas over the Christmas season was the consequence of years of persistent engagement with the diaspora.
"In December alone, Nigerians in the diaspora spent more than N60 billion. "This is only scratching the surface of their potential impact."

She emphasized the diaspora's readiness to invest in local enterprises, educate young Nigerians about digital technologies, and contribute to community development.
"The diaspora is our number one ambassador, helping to change the narrative about Nigeria globally."
To improve these relationships, she proposed establishing a Diaspora Plaza, which would serve as a hub for Nigerians living abroad to engage with government officials and explore opportunities in their home country.

Speaking on diaspora voting, Senator Victor Umeh, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora, expressed concerns about Nigeria's willingness to extend voting rights to residents residing overseas.
Umeh emphasized the importance of solid data and a strong election procedure before instituting diaspora voting.

"We must first address the challenges of our electoral system at home before expanding it to include votes from abroad."

While praising the diaspora's enthusiasm to engage in Nigeria's political process, Umeh emphasized the significance of adequate documentation for Nigerians living abroad to avoid future electoral conflicts.

Both Dabiri-Erewa and Umeh advocated for additional financing for NIDCOM to improve its ability to successfully communicate with the diaspora.

Umeh remarked that the commission's international breadth necessitates big resources, and the National Assembly intends to advocate for a larger budget allocation in 2025.

"The diaspora community is critical to Nigeria's growth. Their exposure to advanced cultures and efficient systems makes them an invaluable asset to the country," Umeh stated.

He did, however, urge the government to encourage Nigerians living abroad to invest in the local economy, stating that their efforts might have a transformative impact on national development.