The Nigeria Diaspora Commission was established to protect Nigerians in diaspora and to facilitate their effective participation in Nigeria’s development.
There are about 17 million Nigerian diasporans, if others with Nigerian origin are added, the figure could be as high as 40 million, it is indeed pertinent to ensure these set of Nigerians are not neglected.
Moyo Thomas met with the Chairman and CEO of the Commission and reports that issues continue to revolve around Nigerians in diaspora, many of which tend to be negative, affecting the image of Nigeria and her citizens
Many Nigerians tend to get defined by these prejudices and stereotypes even while contributing meaningfully to their host countries and countries of origin.
The need to give these diasporans a voice, is why the federal government created the Nigeria Diaspora Commission. It is headed by Abike Dabiri-Erewa
The Commission is expected to focus on Nigerian heros aborad, and play a mediation role in thorny issues Nigerians get drawn into, either by their own making, or through circumstances beyond their control.
A case in point is that of a 73 year old Nigerian nanny sentenced to 15 years imprisonment on a murder charge, for force-feeding a baby to death.
But it’s not all tales of woe about Nigerians in diaspora. There are several Nigerians who have distinguished themselves as A-list actors and musicians. Artists with Nigerian origin in Hollywood include Rotimi Okeniyi, David Oyelowo, Uzo Aduba, Hakeem Kae Kazim, Chiwetel Ejiofor, John Boyega, Adewale Akinnoye- Agbaje
Thousands of Medical doctors and surgeons are also practising in the United States, with about 5000 in the UK alone. These Nigerians abroad contribute socially and economically to the country’s image and development.
These Nigerians also fall within categories the new Diaspora Commission hopes to reach out to and through constant interaction, reinforce their pride in coming from a country still regarded globally as the Giant of Africa.
In a statement last year, Nigeria’s vice president disclosed that Nigerians abroad send home yearly sums that are equivalent to Nigeria’s annual national budget.
This statement is a fact, as according to the world bank, migrant remittance inflow to Nigeria for 2018 was about $24 million, (N8.75 trillion) while the Nigerian budget for same year was about $25 million, (N9.12 trillion), that is about 6.1% share of the GDP
