Kaduna – IOM, the International Organization for Migration, hosted a workshop for 58 representatives of government agencies and civil society organizations (CSOs) on 6 – 8 February in Kaduna State, to review the National Diaspora Policy (NDP).

The policy aims to provide a comprehensive framework for facilitating diaspora engagement in national development, empowering the diaspora to contribute effectively, and maximizing the value of their contribution to Nigeria’s development.

The policy contains a plan of action that defines the specific activities that stakeholders will undertake for implementing the policy. It also contains a monitoring and evaluation framework which shall be reviewed periodically.

The Nigerian diaspora has contributed substantially to the development of the country. According to the World Bank Migration and Remittance brief, Nigeria receives the largest inflow of remittances in Sub-Saharan Africa with 65 per cent of its total and 2 per cent of global inflow.

“Beyond sending remittances, the diasporas have been promoting trade and foreign direct investment, creating businesses and spurring up entrepreneurship and transferring new knowledge and skills,” Elizabeth Poage National, IOM Nigeria Project Officer. “Nigeria is one among the 5^th highest recipients in the world after China, India, Mexico and Philippines with an estimate of 21 billion dollars,” she added. “This has both direct and indirect impacts on the economy as well as on poverty reduction at the national and community level.”

“The Nigerian citizens in the diaspora keep in touch with their country and are interested in making contributions for the development of Nigeria,” said Sadiya Umar Farouk, National Commissioner for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI). She added that with an annual remittance of about USD 22 billion to Nigeria, Nigerians in diaspora are “among the most successful migrants.”

Following the presentation of the draft NDP, participants were grouped along thematic areas where they made substantial inputs to the draft NDP and action plan. At the end, key stakeholders shared their perspectives on the policy and action plan which will be used to develop a final draft.

The workshop gathered 17 female and 41 male participants. It was organized in collaboration with the Nigerian National Volunteer Service (NNVS) within the framework of the “EU-IOM Joint Initiative for Migrant Protection and Reintegration in Nigeria” with funding from the European Union.

For more information please contact Jorge Galindo at IOM Nigeria, Tel: +234 906 273 9168, Email: jgalindo@iom.int or Ikechukwu Attah iattah@iom.int