Vice President Kashim Shettima has highlighted Nigeria’s leading role in diaspora remittances within West Africa, revealing that the country accounted for $21.9 billion in 2022, representing 64% of the region’s total remittances.
Speaking at the 10th Annual National Migration Dialogue in Abuja, Shettima emphasized Nigerian migrants’ global impact, excelling in fields like technology, medicine, sports, and the creative arts. He also noted that Nigerian startups led by migrants attracted over $800 million in investments last year.
While lauding their contributions, Shettima expressed concern over irregular migration, revealing that over 10,000 Nigerians detained for migration-related offences were repatriated in 2024. He stressed the need for better migration management to protect migrants’ rights while fostering economic growth.
