President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the significant contribution of Nigerians in the diaspora, revealing that official remittances in 2024 amounted to $20.93 billion—four times the country’s Foreign Direct Investment for the year.

Speaking on Friday in Abuja at the National Diaspora Day and National Diaspora Merit Award 2025, organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the President—represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume—described the figure as a powerful testament to diaspora commitment.

The President applauded NiDCOM’s pioneering initiatives, including the National Diaspora Day celebration, the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit, the Diaspora Mortgage Scheme, the National Merit Award, and the Diaspora Data Mapping project.

“It is gratifying that we annually honour the achievements of our diaspora on July 25. Many of them serve as ambassadors, promoting Nigeria’s image globally,” the President noted.

He further acknowledged their investments across critical sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, ICT, real estate, transportation, and oil and gas, describing such contributions as “commendable and in our enlightened self-interest,” emphasizing that only Nigerians, both at home and abroad, can truly develop Nigeria.

In her remarks, Sharon Dimanche, Chief of Mission for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Nigeria, praised NiDCOM’s consistent efforts and highlighted global figures.

“According to the World Bank, global official remittances in 2024 reached $905 billion, with Sub-Saharan Africa receiving $56 billion. Nigeria alone recorded $20.93 billion—an 8.9 percent increase from the previous year,” she stated.

She described these inflows as a crucial economic buffer, directly supporting household needs, education, healthcare, and livelihoods across the country.