Skip to main content Skip to footer 
President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians living abroad to remember that there is no place like home, encouraging them to return and contribute to the nation’s development. Speaking at the 2024 National Diaspora Day Celebrations in Abuja on Thursday, Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, highlighted his own experience of living and working abroad before returning to Nigeria.
Tinubu stated, “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.”
He acknowledged the benefits and consequences of migration, stressing that while the government understands the pursuit of better opportunities, it is essential for those abroad to maintain their connection with Nigeria.
During his address, Tinubu revealed that diaspora remittances to Nigeria totaled $646 million between January and May 2024, reflecting increased trust and the positive impacts of reforms introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Tinubu also noted that an estimated 200,000 to 250,000 Nigerians live in Canada, with between 10 million and 14 million Nigerians residing in the diaspora, mostly in other African countries. Recent data from the Nigerian Immigration Service indicated 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, ranking it as the 46th country with the most immigrants globally.
