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By Chukwuma Umeorah
Stakeholders have renewed calls for the political inclusion of Nigerians in the diaspora, insisting that citizens whose remittances sustain millions of households and bolster the national economy deserve the right to vote in future elections.
Speaking at a town hall organized by News Central Television, participants emphasized that diaspora remittances, projected to reach $26 billion by 2025, constitute a vital pillar of Nigeria’s economic stability and development.
Chief Executive Officer of the NOUS Organisation, Councillor Hephzibah Olugbemi, underscored the magnitude of these financial inflows, disclosing that “in July 2024 alone, $553 million was remitted to Nigeria.”
She stressed that conversations about diaspora engagement must move beyond financial contributions to include democratic participation.
“The diaspora’s influence extends beyond money. Nigerians overseas must make their voices heard, not just with their money but with their vote,” she said.
Participants noted that remittance inflows, estimated at $19.5 billion in 2023, have at times surpassed oil revenues, serving as a stabilizing force for Nigeria’s balance of payments. These funds, they said, support education, healthcare, housing, and small-scale enterprises across the country.
President of Nigerians in the Diaspora, New York State, Bobby Digi Olisa, called for deliberate policy action and administrative reforms to enable diaspora voting.
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“We need NIN and BVN registration. As the diaspora invests billions into the motherland, they should surely have the right to vote,” he said.
Olisa added that the implementation of diaspora voting was achievable with proper planning and digital systems.
“Pilot programs for diaspora voting are possible. Other countries already conduct absentee ballots and biometric verification, Nigeria must catch up,” he stated.
Similarly, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation in Europe (NIDO), Chibuzor Ubochi, argued that enfranchising Nigerians abroad is not a privilege but a constitutional right.
“Diaspora voting is our right, not a favour,” he said, urging the federal government to establish legal and institutional frameworks to recognise the diaspora’s stake in the democratic process.
The stakeholders emphasised that as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, adopting secure and transparent electronic voting systems would enhance inclusivity, national unity, and accountability in governance.
They maintained that granting Nigerians abroad the right to vote would not only deepen their commitment to national development but also strengthen democratic participation and governance transparency.
