Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening ties with Nigerians in the diaspora, assuring them of greater inclusion in national development.
Speaking at a high-level forum on diaspora engagement in Abuja on Sunday, Shettima stressed that Nigerians living abroad remain an integral part of the country’s growth story, contributing significantly through remittances, investments, and knowledge transfer.
>Our brothers and sisters in the diaspora are not just stakeholders; they are partners in progress. This administration is determined to create a more structured platform for their participation in governance, investment, and innovation,” the Vice President said.
He noted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is prioritizing policies to harness the expertise of professionals abroad in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, ICT, and manufacturing.
Shettima also highlighted the role of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) in bridging the gap between citizens abroad and government institutions, adding that efforts are underway to ease bureaucratic processes around dual citizenship rights, voting, and business registration.
In her remarks, NiDCOM Chairperson, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described diaspora Nigerians as “ambassadors of Nigeria’s resilience,” pointing out that the country received over $20 billion in remittances in 2024, a figure projected to rise this year.
Shettima urged diaspora communities to sustain their support for reforms at home, assuring that the government would maintain open channels of communication to ensure their voices are heard and their concerns addressed.
Analysts say the renewed focus on diaspora engagement could improve investor confidence, bolster national unity, and project Nigeria’s image positively on the global stage.
