JAPA: Don’t forget home, FG tells Nigerians

The Federal Government has called on Nigerians migrating abroad not to forget their roots, urging them to contribute positively to the development of their home country, Nigeria. Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), made this appeal while delivering a Ramadan lecture organised by No Dull Moment in Islam (NDMI) on the […]

The Federal Government has called on Nigerians migrating abroad not to forget their roots, urging them to contribute positively to the development of their home country, Nigeria.

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), made this appeal while delivering a Ramadan lecture organised by No Dull Moment in Islam (NDMI) on the theme, “The Intricacies of Japa Syndrome”.

In her lecture, Dabiri-Erewa acknowledged that migration is a fundamental human right and a long-standing global phenomenon, but emphasised that the greater challenge lies in making migration a journey of impact, not abandonment.

She said that migration is not wrong, as even Prophet Muhammad (SAW) migrated from Makkah to Madinah for a better life, but returned to rebuild his homeland. 

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Dabiri-Erewa stressed that the focus should not be on stopping migration but on ensuring that Nigerians abroad stay connected and give back to the development of their home country.

She highlighted the remarkable achievements of Nigerians in the diaspora, noting that 70 per cent of Black doctors in the Diaspora are Nigerians, while countless others are excelling in technology, business, sports, and entertainment.

Recently, Morotoluwa Ojomoh, a Nigerian, who won the Super Bowl Championship, returned home to a grand welcoming by the Nigerian Government.

Similarly, world boxing champion Anthony Joshua returned home in December 2024 to reconnect with his roots in Sagamu, Ogun State, where he was welcomed with love and pride.

While acknowledging the concerns around brain drain, the NiDCOM Chairman advocated for a paradigm shift towards brain circulation, where Nigerians abroad acquire skills, knowledge, and networks to contribute to national development.

She revealed that the Nigerian Diaspora contributes over $90 billion annually in remittances, one of the highest in Africa, proving that the Diaspora remains a critical asset for national development.