Speaking at the Afe Babalola University Convocation in Ado Ekiti on Saturday, during a lecture titled “Diaspora Engagements for National Development,” she highlighted this topic as part of the institution's 12th convocation ceremonies.
Dabiri-Erewa noted that Nigerians living abroad are actively involved in various sectors of the economy, either individually or collectively. She pointed out that numerous commercial ventures initiated by the diaspora are valued in the millions of dollars, significantly contributing to the nation's gross domestic product and overall development.
According to her, “diaspora remittances surpass oil as the primary source of foreign exchange for Nigeria,” citing a record $553 million in remittances reported by the Central Bank of Nigeria in July 2024.
She cautioned against unnecessary migration, often referred to as ‘Japa,’ stressing that leaving the country out of frustration is not advisable.
Dabiri-Erewa mentioned that NIDCOM is actively working to tackle challenges related to diaspora engagement, including the significant trust gap between Nigerians abroad, those in Nigeria, and the government.
She urged Nigerians in the diaspora to collaborate with the commission to support government initiatives aimed at achieving sustainable development, stating, “If we all unite with a single purpose to develop Nigeria.”
Additionally, she advocated for partnerships between Nigerian universities and diaspora citizens to facilitate staff and student exchange programs.
Dabiri-Erewa emphasized the importance of student exchange programs aimed at engaging the second and third generations of Nigerians living abroad, as they can contribute valuable insights to university communities.
She proposed that ABUAD and the Nigerian diaspora could work together by establishing staff and student exchange initiatives, collaborative research projects addressing global issues, and offering sabbaticals for Nigerian diaspora lecturers.
She noted that such collaboration would enrich the experiences of both staff and students by exposing them to different educational environments and cultural contexts, while also utilizing the diverse expertise of diaspora researchers to enhance knowledge sharing.
Dabiri-Erewa praised ABUAD for its partnership with Kings College London, which would enable ABUAD students to connect with other global universities and access resources from their campus. She further encouraged the establishment of a Diaspora Centre of Excellence at the university, which could provide courses on diaspora-related topics and function as a research hub.
Afe Babalola, the founder of ABUAD, remarked on the nation's abundance of human and natural resources, urging citizens, particularly the youth, to reconsider the notion of seeking opportunities abroad.
He stated that "ABUAD has significantly influenced the education and health sectors of the nation over the past 15 years, leading both local and international organizations to recognize the university as the top institution in the country and globally.
“Let me say that Africans are born to lead the world. We have built a university that has been rated first in the world and a hospital adjudged the best in Africa in less than 15 years. My students are the best and next to make this country great.”