President Bola Tinubu has appealed to Nigerians living in diaspora to never forget that home is where the heart is, and that Nigeria will always be their true home, no matter where life takes them.
President Tinubu shared his personal experience of living and working abroad, but ultimately returned to Nigeria to make a meaningful contribution to the nation’s growth and development.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, delivered remarks at the 2024 National Diaspora Day celebrations held in Abuja on Thursday.
Tinubu said he expected those abroad to bring back their experiences to support his development agenda.
He said, “As someone who once lived and worked abroad, I can attest that migration can be transformative and serious. In the 1970s, I went to the United States, where I studied and worked, before returning to Nigeria to contribute to nation-building.
“I, therefore, urge our citizens who relocate abroad to remember that there is no place like home. We expect them to bring back their experiences to support our development agenda. “
Tinubu said the government would not hold anything against Nigerians who travelled abroad to seek better opportunities.
However, the President, urged them not to forget their country.
Tinubu said, “As we celebrate our diaspora community, we must acknowledge the implication of this phenomenon for our collective growth. We cannot begrudge our citizens who are seeking better opportunities abroad, but we must urge them not to forget their homeland.”
Tinubu disclosed that a total of $646m was raked in as diaspora remittances between January and May 2024.
He said, “The CBN has recently introduced some reforms in the sector. In January, remittances totalled $138.56m. We recorded $39m in February, $104m in March, $193m in April, and $365m in May 2024.
“The progression reflects the level of trust, and the positives that the mandatory reforms that the Central Bank has achieved.”
Tinubu revealed that a recent estimate from the Nigeria High Commission in Ottawa, Canada, suggests that around 200,000 to 250,000 Nigerians live in Canada.
Tinubu added, “Other estimates indicate that between 10 million and 114 million Nigerians are in diaspora, most living in other African countries.
“The Nigerian Immigration Service’s recent data showed that Nigeria recorded a significant increase in immigration, with 3.7 million citizens leaving the country between 2022 and September 2023. However, Nigeria also received 1.3 million immigrants during the same period, making us the 46th country with the most immigrants globally.”
