Professor Ibrahim A. Gambari, one time External Affairs Minister and immediate past Chief of Staff to the President, has emphasized the critical role of the Nigerian diaspora in the country’s future development.
Gambari who was also former United Nations (UN) Under Secretary-General and head of the UN Political Affairs Department made the assertion yesterday in New York while speaking at a sideline event around the United Nations in New York.
Speaking on the theme “Empowering Nigeria’s Future: The Role of Nigerian Professionals in the Diaspora” on Tuesday, 24 September 2024, Prof. Gambari called for a shift in perspective on the diaspora’s contributions beyond mere financial remittances.
In an appeal to the government, Gambari also stressed the importance of granting Nigerians in the diaspora the right to vote.
“Presently, Nigerians in the diaspora cannot vote. This has to change if Nigeria is to fully benefit from our diaspora capitals. Allowing them electoral rights would enhance the quality of our political leadership and the democratic process,” he urged.
The event was hosted by the UNSRC Nigeria Association & Nigerian Professionals Network and also featured the Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago, House of Representatives Member Oluwole Oke and the UNDP Assistant Secretary General Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa.
Gambari, who served as Nigeria’s Minister for External Affairs between 1984 and 1985, praised the Nigerian diaspora for their intellectual brilliance, leadership, and strong sense of assimilation.
“Nigerians in the diaspora can be described as having local knowledge and best in class skill sets, exposure and knowledge. The ability to harness these skills and collaborate can bring far more value to the nation over and above the remittance that we so often highlight.
“Creating platforms and networking opportunities where they can share their perspectives and talent in creating innovative solutions to the myriad of challenges that currently confront indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs,” he noted.
With over 1.2 million Nigerians living abroad, the diaspora has become an essential bloc of the population.
However, Gambari urged Nigerians to recognize that the diaspora’s contributions go beyond the billions of dollars in remittances they send home annually.
Nigeria ranks fifth globally in remittance inflows, receiving nearly $20 billion in 2023 alone.
But according to the former UN envoy, focusing solely on financial contributions limits the potential benefits that these global citizens can bring to the nation.
“Should remittances be the only reason we celebrate our brothers and sisters in the diaspora? The diaspora comprises a pool of seasoned professionals with best-in-class skills, exposure, and local knowledge that can be harnessed to solve Nigeria’s myriad challenges,” Gambari asked.
In his speech, Gambari acknowledged the growing concerns about Nigeria’s “brain drain” as skilled workers emigrate in search of better opportunities.
While some fear the loss of talent, Gambari pointed out that this migration creates new opportunities.
“In certain economic circles, a case could be made that the diaspora remittances have served as a reliable source of foreign exchange, especially given the drop in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flowing into the country,” he explained.
Yet, he also lamented the challenges businesses face due to the skills gap, a mismatch between education and job market demands, and the private sector’s hesitancy to invest in talent for fear of losing them to foreign employers.
Gambari believes that the diaspora holds untapped potential that, if harnessed correctly, could bring far greater value to Nigeria’s economy. “Collaborating with our diaspora and creating platforms for knowledge sharing and networking can lead to innovative solutions to the challenges facing local businesses and entrepreneurs,” he emphasized.
The former UN envoy also highlighted the diaspora’s role in promoting foreign policy and national development.
“The diaspora has become an important instrument of foreign policy – a critical tool for the exercise of soft power – and an agent for economic development, especially among developing economies,” Gambari remarked.
He quoted a 2013 International Organization for Migration (IOM) report, noting that the diaspora could build bridges between societies, strengthen relationships, and deepen trade, investment, and diplomatic ties.
For Nigeria to fully benefit from the diaspora’s talents, Gambari called for deliberate policies to enable knowledge and skills transfer. He underscored that Nigeria is a young nation, with 85% of the population under 45 and a median age of just 17 years.
Engaging with the diaspora must reflect this demographic reality. “Our diaspora is Nigeria’s greatest repository of 21st-century knowledge,” Gambari said.
He proposed leveraging what he called the “Three Capitals” – Intellectual, Finacial, and Social – for Nigeria’s development.
Furthermore, Gambari lauded the efforts of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and its initiatives, such as the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit and the Diaspora Medical Missions.
He noted that these efforts have provided critical platforms for the diaspora to engage with home-based investors, government officials, and healthcare providers. Yet, he stressed that more policy initiatives are needed to deepen the diaspora’s contributions, particularly in terms of encouraging professionals to return home and help develop Nigeria.
“The knowledge and skills transfer from Nigerians abroad can be one of the critical factors in transforming our nation,” Gambari said, drawing a comparison to China’s rapid industrialization. “With the right leadership, we can replicate the Chinese successes within a generation, but with a distinctly Nigerian style.”
Gambari called for renewed commitment from all levels of government to engage and empower the Nigerian diaspora. “Foreign policy cannot be separated from domestic policy. Nigeria’s federal, state, and local governments must continuously engage with the diaspora through outreach, communication, and strategic partnerships,” he stated.
Gambari ended his speech with a call for unity and optimism about Nigeria’s future, expressing his belief that with the diaspora’s support, Nigeria can become a global leader.
