Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has emphasized the country’s commitment to leveraging its diaspora community to boost economic contributions and reshape Nigeria’s international image.
During a courtesy visit from the President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement (PAC-ADE), Tuggar stressed the need to increase the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contributions of Nigerians abroad, drawing comparisons with other countries that have smaller diaspora populations but higher economic contributions.
“We are moving closely towards changing those negative narratives about Nigeria and to improve on the contribution to GDP of diasporans,” Tuggar stated.
Executive Director of PAC-ADE, Deniece Laurent-Mantey, praised the engaging discussions with Minister Tuggar and expressed optimism about future collaborations. “We talked about how we can partner with the Nigerians in diaspora, across different sectors. Our partnership should go both ways: how can the US support Nigeria, and how can Nigeria support America as well?”
The visit by PAC-ADE, established by President Biden in 2023, highlights the significance of bilateral relations and the impact of the Nigerian diaspora. The council’s efforts aim to strengthen the African diaspora’s role in economic and social development, with a focus on initiatives such as student exchanges, policy support, climate-focused initiatives, improved visa processes, and investments in creative industries.
The partnership between Nigeria and the US has the potential to enhance economic contributions and promote STEM education partnerships, as seen in the historic Framework of Cooperation signed between the US and Kenya in May 2024. As Tuggar emphasized, “We are moving closely towards changing those negative narratives about Nigeria,” and this collaboration is a step towards achieving that goal.