NewStats: 3,264,424 , 8,183,698 topics. Date: Wednesday, 11 June 2025 at 03:49 AM 5v42f

In recent times, diaspora remittances to Nigeria have been an important contribution to our foreign exchange earnings. It is no surprise that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2024 said diaspora remittances to Nigeria reached $4.22 billion from January to October, a 61.1 percent increase from the same period in 2023.

This increase was attributed to improved efficiency in the remittance process, the policies of President Bola Tinubu, and increased confidence in Nigeria’s financial system. It is therefore logical to conclude that the more Nigerians go abroad (Japa), the more remittances the Nigerian economy will get, all things being equal.

Ironically, in the last few years, the Nigerian government has been worried about the mass exodus of skilled and unskilled Nigerians leaving the country for greener pastures elsewhere. Amusingly, the same government also covertly and overtly depends on diaspora remittances and is often worried whenever there is a drop.

Remittances from the Nigerian diaspora are a significant source of foreign exchange for the country and also an important part of Nigeria’s economic recovery. They are a vital source of income for families and a steady inflow into the economy. They also play a significant role in alleviating poverty and improving nutrition and are linked to better outcomes such as higher birth weights and increased school enrolment.

Despite interventions, the rate has not held up to expectations, and according to the CBN, in 2024, Nigeria received an estimated $23.4 billion in remittances from its diaspora community, making it the largest recipient of remittances in Africa and one of the top five globally. The CBN is most likely to continue its interventions after the World Bank predicted that Nigeria will see increased remittances in the years ahead, due to higher food prices.

This can only be true if the planned repatriation of Nigerians by President Donald Trump’s istration and some European governments is not followed through. As diaspora remittances are from both the skilled and unskilled Nigerians who went abroad either legally or illegally.

We are not against the government exploiting the gains from its diaspora population. If anything, we think remittances do help the economy; however, they are not a sustainable strategy for long-term economic growth. Nigeria has an economy that is dominated by consumption rather than production. So, once the remittances are received, they will merely be used to service an import-oriented economy. In other words, the money will simply go back to where it came from.

Nigeria therefore needs to increase production for a sustainable growth in the economy, knowing well that production requires the best in human resources.

A situation where Nigerian leaders take advantage of a condition that is costing its economy more in of human capital does not augur well for our future. The energy the government is putting in to attract more remittances could also be used to put the country in a better state that will help reduce the number of young Nigerians the country is losing on a daily basis.

In 2024, the UK granted over 430,000 visas to Nigerian nationals, according to the British High Commissioner. This included visas for study and relocation, a December 2024 report showed. In the year ending June 2024, the UK issued 432,225 student visas, noted GOV.UK, a 13 percent decrease from the previous year, but 61 percent higher than in 2019.

In the first half of 2024, the UK processed over 225,000 visas for Nigerian nationals. The figure above is for the skilled labour, while for the unskilled who use intermediaries, it is not known. For the UK, Nigerian migrants also showed by far the biggest growth among the top five nationalities granted skilled work visas. For every talent that leaves Nigeria, a local business is suffering because it cannot find a suitable replacement on such short notice.

We have reported several times how banking operations could not run efficiently because many banks are losing their best workers to companies in the US and Europe.

To date, Nigerian hospitals are losing the best talents in doctors and nurses, and patients are suffering for it. Between December 2021 and May 2022, no less than 727 Nigerian-trained medical doctors relocated to the UK, and between March 2021 and March 2022, at least 7,256 Nigerian nurses left for the UK also.

Irrespective of how much we get from diaspora remittances, it is time the government stops and improves on the issues chasing the country’s best away. We know it is possible for Nigeria to generate more diaspora remittances without the discouragement that drives away our skilled workforce. Instead, the government can create an encouraging environment so that even when the skilled talents decide to travel outside for work, they would always come back willingly to contribute their expertise to the local economy.

https://businessday.ng/editorial/article/paradox-of-the-japa-syndrome/#google_vignette

"....A situation where Nigerian leaders take advantage of a condition that is costing its economy more in of human capital does not augur well for our future.

The energy the government is putting in to attract more remittances could also be used to put the country in a better state that will help reduce the number of young Nigerians the country is losing on a daily basis.

Irrespective of how much Nigeria gets from diaspora remittances, it is time the government stops and improves on the issues chasing the country’s best away."

Not everyone is cut out for the miserable life the govt have forced some people used to in Nigeria today. Government bastardised the nation, force citizens to Japan, then start profiting from the attendant forex remittance.

“The care of human life and happiness is the only legitimate object of good government." - Jeffersonian Credo

https://businessday.ng/editorial/article/paradox-of-the-japa-syndrome/#google_vignette nlfpmod

The tragedy is all of the best minds are lost. It is the aspiration of the best of us to leave.

Japa is the only hope no matter the situation, Nigeria is dead an gone

I don't believe in Japa,the billion dollars remitted by diasporans is not up to the potential of the amount Nigeria will generate locally if all of them stay back home .

Diaspora remittances is a key reason Nigeria still breathes as a country. There is not enough jobs for the teeming youth; not enough advancement for the geniuses amongst us to thrive; yet the government is pushing that we all suffocate here??

Crazy.

5m out of 220m japa. Why not focus on the remaining 215m. This obsession is getting tiring . For everyone that japa there are at least 5 available people that can be trained to replace them except for doctors. Make una rest

Japa correctly!
...nuff said

What's tha business?

It's really a paradox. Neither good nor bad for the economy

Japa is the answer. Tinubu is currently out of the country looking for where to migrate to

Please if u have the means to Japa, please and please, do not think twice. Just japa

This one is still speaking big big English.
Go to Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, Chad, Central Africa, Cameroun etc and understand the meaning of Japa.
Nigerian own still dey learn work.

Joke

Millions apply for slots in the university yearly without success.

Hundreds of thousands want to study medicine but are denied yearly.

Polytechnics are wasting away churning out trash, universities are wasting resources teaching unwanted, outdated courses.

It's simple: Convert polytechnics into universities training highly skilled work force.
Fund universities to do same.

Give everyone a chance at quality education including the poor.

Watch how the country will becomes self sufficient with skilled work force and not notice any Japa effects.

Tinubu way go no dey shock u

Remittances are good, these are earnings.

HydraFeeds:
I don't believe in Japa,the billion dollars remitted by diasporans is not up to the potential of the amount Nigeria will generate locally if all of them stay back home .

I think you are under estimating the remittance by those abroad. Do you know people send N2m each month to thier bank s in Nigeria? now howmany people who are working can save up to N2m monthly after all bills
you guys dont know

motayoayinde:
Millions apply for slots in the university yearly without success.

Hundreds of thousands want to study medicine but are denied yearly.

Polytechnics are wasting away churning out trash, university are wasting resources teaching unwanted, outdated courses.

It's simple: Convert polytechnics into universities training highly skilled work force.
Fund universities to do same.

Give everyone a chance at quality education including the poor.

Watch how the country will becomes self sufficient with skilled work force and not notice any Japa effects.

This is what the education system abroad has concurred, no Jamb

DesChyko:
Diaspora remittances is a key reason Nigeria still breathes as a country. There is not enough jobs for the teeming youth; not enough advancement for the geniuses amongst us to thrive; yet the government is pushing that we all suffocate here??

Crazy.

How does the remittance help Nigeria as a country rather than small individuals or family and friends of the sender ?

Who go sponsor my Canada Dream bayi?

@helinues any link? Abi shey you fit help?

motayoayinde:
Millions apply for slots in the university yearly without success.

Hundreds of thousands want to study medicine but are denied yearly.

Polytechnics are wasting away churning out trash, university are wasting resources teaching unwanted, outdated courses.

It's simple: Convert polytechnics into universities training highly skilled work force.
Fund universities to do same.

Give everyone a chance at quality education including the poor.

Watch how the country will becomes self sufficient with skilled work force and not notice any Japa effects.

How Gaza

For every talent that leaves Nigeria, a local business is suffering because it cannot find a suitable replacement on such short notice.

Nothing wrong with people leaving enmass. The country is highly populated, so there will always be replacements. Also, nothing is wrong with moving back to Nigeria. Many will return enmass as it is the most familiar environment they have known. If they won't, diaspora Nigerians would not be behind 70% of the real estate investments in Nigeria.

Migration is human.

erico2k2:

I think you are under estimating the remittance by those abroad. Do you know people send N2m each month to thier bank s in Nigeria? now howmany people who are working can save up to N2m monthly after all bills
you guys dont know

The reason why they're able to make such in abroad is due to the collective efforts of individuals that developed the said abroad country.

If talented individuals continue to abandon Nigeria after using Nigeria resources to train themselves, Nigeria will continue to stagnate or progress at snail speed and will not reach the potential of several individuals being able to save 2m per month .

My dream too na to japa if I see the connection

Woh, our fate as Nigerians is harsh jare. I pity anybody that allows himself to be born into Nigeria. Life's automatically hard for us.

At home here:
Leaders fucckking us really hard here, destroying lives with their greed. Followers showing stupidity daily with bias and bigotry and ignorance or negligence. Most Nigerians, your fellow compatriot wey una dey gather see shege o, dem go wan still rip you. Open business, dem wan finish you. for night, one idiot wants to kill your for ritual or your phones and cars. Some dumbasses even dey kidnap for ransom. Make I no talk herdsmen and idiots that kill Deborah and their people are happy. Some fools sell fake drugs and electronics and everything fake to kill people directly and indirectly. Small WAEC wey no hard, parents pay for special centre for their child lol... lol my children no fit see special centre laye if I born, when even me their papa no go special centre for JAMB abi WAEC

In Africa:
Nobody fancy us. South Africans show us pepper with xenophobia, and their people even come here to aim digs on us. Ghanaians show our businessmen shege. Traveling through neighbouring countries by road will have them treating you like trash, once you're a Nigerian. Libya even dey enslave us.

Overseas:
This one is not even exactly rosy, although it prolly promises a better life. Discrimination choke. Racism choke. Isolation choke. Regardless of whom you are or your money o. People like Davido, other rich folks, and the likes even get these harsh and inhumane tratment. Lol... life sha hard for a Nigerian; average or more.

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Sad as it may sound, best thing for an average Nigerian(or Africans, by extension) is not being born into this world at all. Second best thing is to die almost immediately after being birthed. At least, eyes no go see these sheges...

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But anyway o, to exist is to live. We must still find our ways to enjoy life o. As long as we dey this life, we go still chop am as we take see am naani...

motayoayinde:
Millions apply for slots in the university yearly without success.

Hundreds of thousands want to study medicine but are denied yearly.

Polytechnics are wasting away churning out trash, universities are wasting resources teaching unwanted, outdated courses.

It's simple: Convert polytechnics into universities training highly skilled work force.
Fund universities to do same.

Give everyone a chance at quality education including the poor.

Watch how the country will becomes self sufficient with skilled work force and not notice any Japa effects.

Mr Motayo, you goof here o... if anyone has a chance for quality education in Nigeria then the poor has it. No cap. Lagos public schools are super great. Nobody applies for a university and meet the requirements and get no ission. You wan make dem dey give students why no read ission anyhow? Make dem dey give people wey no get any brain ission to study medicine, so dem go dey kill pxs anyhow later abi.

WAEC na A1—F9, get C6 in 5 core subjects at least.
Jamb na 400, score at least 200. And meet at least cut off. Are these too much? No!!!!
Na when olodo pikin score 100/400 make dem dash am ission con be the deal abi

Na una go still complain say Nigerian education standard bad yet praise overseas own.

ednut1:
5m out of 220m japa. Why not focus on the remaining 215m. This obsession is getting tiring . For everyone that japa there are at least 5 available people that can be trained to replace them except for doctors. Make una rest

...na the best JaPa naaaa🤣🤣
That's the reason for the outcry.
How many Agberos you dey see for U.S., UK, Canada Embassies seeking for Visa stamps ?
IF U.S. doctors pack commot the way Nigerian doctors did, there will be a National emergency immediately. National Guards will be stationed at the Airports to resist such🤣🤣