President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians living abroad to remember that there is no place like home.
He recalled that he once lived and worked abroad but returned home to contribute to the nation’s development.
The president, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume spoke at the 2024 National Diaspora Day Celebrations in Abuja on Thursday.
Tinubu said he expects 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 stated that although the migration of citizens abroad has its consequences, the government would not hold it against them for seeking better opportunities elsewhere.
The president, however, urged them not to forget their country.
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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 $646 million was received in diaspora remittances between January and May 2024.
He said, “The CBN has recently introduced some reforms in the sector, and the reforms are yielding fast results. In January, remittances totaled $138.56 million. We recorded $39 million in February, $104 million in March, $193 million in April, and $365 million in May 2024.
“The progression reflects the level of trust and the positive impacts of the mandatory reforms implemented by the Central Bank.”
Tinubu disclosed 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 14 million Nigerians are in the diaspora, most living in other African countries.
“The Nigerian Immigration Service’s recent data showed that Nigeria recorded a significant increase in emigration, 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.”
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