*The Nigerian Diaspora Commission reminds all Nigerians that ‘home is home’, urging the citizens resident overseas to join hands in developing the West African country with their key resources and attributes in order ‘to catalyse our development in Nigeria’

Alexander Davis | 绿帽献妻

The Federal Government of Nigeria has urged the citizens living in overseas countries to not forget to invest in their home, especially in the face of rising wave of deportations from the Western world.

绿帽献妻 reports the Nigerian Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), which noted this warned Nigerians in the Diaspora to prioritise investments in their home country.

Flights of ‘undocumented’ immigrants in the US arrive in Brazil, and other economies in Latin Amercia聽 聽Photo: AFP

The Commission also said, for instance, the new “America First” policies of United States (US) President Donald Trump’s administration might get those in the American country into the next flight to Lagos or Abuja.

NiDCOM further commended Nigerians resident in several countries of the world for remitting over $90billion in the last five years.

In regard to the latest wave of deportations, particularly from the US, Engr. Sule Yakubu, a top official of NiDCOM, spoke on behalf of Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Commission, Monday, January 27, 2025, at a one-day sensitisation and advocacy programme for promoting Diaspora investment potential in North-East Nigeria, in Bauchi.

Engr. Yakubu stated: 鈥淵ou cannot talk about people in the Diaspora without reminding them that they did not just find themselves in the Diaspora by accident.

“They have a root, they have a country of origin, and they are there as a country of destination.”

The top official of NiDCOM said: “You will never be a first-class citizen in your country of destination even if you stay there for a 100 years.

“It is here (Nigeria) that they are first-class citizens.”

He also noted: “So, we have to tell them this message, that home is home. And to develop Nigeria, we need both those at home and those in the Diaspora.

鈥淭hose in the Diaspora have five things that we need to catalyse our development in Nigeria. First, they have resources.”

Yakubu also averred: “Don鈥檛 kid yourself, one Dollar is equivalent to N1,700, and by the time you have $500, if you come back here, you are already earning a million.

“So, we need their resources. They have talent, they have skills, they have global exposure, and they also have global networks.鈥�

On Trump’s Presidency in White House

Warning Nigerians against falling victim to President Trump’s threats over immigration matters since assumption of office January 20, NiDCOM said: “When you are with President Trump, you better be careful.

“Because you could be on the next plane to Lagos or Abuja. So, we need to remind them. “We need to tell them that home is home. So, please, relax, speak, and pass the message.鈥�

Sensitisation is also critical to tap the treasure of human, material, mineral, agricultural, and every other type of resource for development for the country, noted he.

NiDCOM is a gateway to Diaspora ideas, knowledge, experience and expertise, says Governor Mohammed

In his remarks at the forum, Governor, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State said that he had appointed a Diaspora Focal Point Officer to respond to increasing needs for investments towards the growth and sustainable development of the state.

Mohammed stated: “As a government, we acknowledge the importance of the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission, as a gateway to Diaspora ideas, knowledge, experience, and expertise.

鈥淚 have directed the Diaspora Focal Point Officer (DFPO) of the State to establish a strong partnership with NIDCOM with a view to leveraging on the willingness to support states to tap from the huge Diaspora Investment potentials which have remained yet untapped.鈥�

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