From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The Federal Government has revealed that 20 million Nigerians were in the diaspora, while it currently houses 10 million migrants.
The government, through the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Aliyu Tijani, stated this at the commemoration of the 2024 International Migrants Day in Abuja, yesterday.
Speaking at the event themed, ‘Beyond borders: Celebrating migrants’ legacy protecting their rights,’ he said: “We have nothing less than 10 million migrants in Nigeria and over 20 million Nigerians in the diaspora that are contributing to the development of Nigeria.”
Tijani assured the migrants that the government would continue to protect them and give them an enabling environment to live and to carry out legitimate businesses.
“We celebrate migrants towards the development of the country. We want to inform them that the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria are there for them.
“The government of President Bola Tinubu is ready to provide protection for their security and to provide an enabling environment for them to live. And our brothers, who are living outside this country, we want to say weldon. We thank them for all they have been doing towards the development of Nigeria.
“Today is a day for celebration and the government of Bola Tinubu has provided an enabling environment for those living in Nigeria.
“You can see that there is a high level of improvement in the security of this country. We are ready to develop the country in the area of agriculture and technology.
“Do not forget the contribution of our people in the diaspora towards the development of Nigeria.
“Last year alone, Nigeria was able to realise nothing less than $23 million as remittances, for the development of Nigeria.
“So, but in the national and international scene, we are telling our migrants that we are there for them. We are ready to give them protection for life and property.”