COVID-19 reduces Nigeria’s annual diaspora remittances by 20% -FG
The Federal Government says the COVID-19 pandemic impacted diaspora remittances into Nigeria as it witnessed a 20 per cent reduction from the $25 billion annual inflows.
Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, stated this during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday ahead of the 2021 Diaspora Day celebration scheduled for July 25.
In May, the World Bank said Nigeria’s diaspora remittance flows declined by 27.7 per cent in 2020 – pushing remittances in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) down by 12.5 per cent.
Dabiri-Erewa noted that about 17 million Nigerians live outside the nation’s sovereign boundaries, adding that the home remittances ($25 billion annually) account for over 83 per cent of the national budget and 6.1 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.
She explained that the remittances serve as economic buffers and safety nets to families for school fees, feeding, hospital bills and many other social support systems.
The NIDCOM boss said 30 per cent of diaspora remittances are channelled into investments, including real estate and commercial businesses.
She said the government is coming up with different programmes on diaspora remittances.
“Remittances actually go to support families, but we are having targeted programmes from the diaspora, particularly housing which would be unveiled that day,” she added.
The 2021 edition of National Diaspora Day, ‘Diaspora integration for national peace and development,’ will be held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It would anchor on peace to accelerate diaspora engagement for national growth and development.
She further said Muhammadu Buhari, Amina Mohammed, United Nations deputy secretary-general, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, World Trade Organisation director-general, are among the dignitaries slated to speak at the event.
