Vice President Kashim Shettima has applauded the invaluable contributions of Nigerian immigrants to the global economy, saying Nigeria accounts for the highest of all diaspora remittances in West Africa.
Apart from diaspora remittances, he said Nigerian migrants have become global ambassadors who excel in technology, medicine, sports, creative arts, and other human endeavours.
The Vice President stated this in Abuja, during the 10th Annual National Migration Dialogue with the theme, “Beyond Borders: Celebrating Migrants’ Legacy, Protecting Their Rights”.
According to a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of The Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Senator Shettima notes that In 2022 alone, Nigeria accounted for $21.9 billion in diaspora remittances, representing 64% of all remittances in West Africa.
The Vice President observed that while the Annual National Migration Dialogue coincides with the commemoration of International Migrants Day, the theme of the dialogue sparks solemn “reflection on the dual essence of migration—its remarkable contributions to society and the enduring need to safeguard the rights of those who undertake these journeys.
“The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, pointed out that Nigerian in diaspora represents the very best of the world- hard-working, brilliant, intelligent and developing world economies.
Representative of Head of Region, West Africa for the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), Mojisola Sodeinde, said Nigeria will take leadership of the Euro-African Dialogue on Migration and Development, also known as the Rabat Process, from January 2025.
Shettima, said Nigeria’s headship of this migration dialogue body, a gathering of 57 countries, is an opportunity for the country to show its leadership role.
By: Julian Adetinuyo
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