Nigerians living abroad have been urged to remain connected to their homeland despite their pursuit of better opportunities in foreign countries.

Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, made this appeal while addressing Nigerians who have migrated worldwide. She emphasized that their achievements contribute immensely to the pride of the nation and urged them to positively impact Nigeria’s development.

Highlighting the significant presence of Nigerians in various industries, Dabiri-Erewa noted that they make up about 70 percent of Black doctors abroad and are excelling in fields such as technology, business, sports, and entertainment.

In a post shared on NiDCOM’s X account, she was quoted as saying, “Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has called on Nigerians migrating abroad not to forget their roots, urging them to contribute positively to the development of their home country, Nigeria.”

She made the remarks while delivering a Ramadan Lecture organized by No Dull Moment in Islam (NDMI) on the theme, ‘The Intricacies of Japa Syndrome’. While acknowledging migration as a fundamental human right and a long-standing global phenomenon, she stressed that the key challenge is ensuring that migration leads to impact, not abandonment.

Dabiri-Erewa reiterated that migration itself is not wrong but emphasized the importance of staying connected to Nigeria and giving back to its development. “The focus should not be on stopping migration but on ensuring that Nigerians abroad stay connected and contribute to their home country,” the NiDCOM chairman stated.