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Nigeria: Diaspora Engagement Policies in National Context

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Africa and its Global Diaspora

Part of the book series: African Histories and Modernities ((AHAM))

Abstract

Nigeria has one of the largest African diasporas scattered around the world and on the continent. The Nigerian diaspora has developed dense transnational networks. It has engaged with the state and the homeland in complex and sophisticated ways. The chapter explores and examines the historical and social dynamics of the Nigerian diaspora. It focuses on state–diaspora relations as well as diaspora–homelands relations. It investigates the major issues that have dominated state–diaspora relations in Nigeria as well as the formulation of a diaspora engagement policy by the state. It assesses Nigeria’s attempt to engage with its diaspora against the backdrop of some of the best practices have emerged from the field as well as the growing body of empirical evidence on state–diaspora relations.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Charles Soludo, “Is Nigeria Losing Her 17 Million Diaspora?” This Day, February 4, 2013.

  2. 2.

    Peter Probst, “Vital Politics,” in Between Resistance and Expansion: Explorations of Local Vitality in Africa, eds. Peter Probst and Gerd Spittler, (LIT Verlag Münster, 2004): 334.

  3. 3.

    Sonia Plaza and Dilip Ratha, “Overview: Harnessing Diaspora Resources for Africa,” in Diaspora for Development in Africa, (Washington: IBRD/World Bank, 2011): 3.

  4. 4.

    Adebayo Akanmu, “Brain Drain-Brain Gain: Leveraging the Nigerian Diaspora for the Revitalization of Nigerian Higher Education.” Paper Presented at the 25th Conference of the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, Held at Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria on April 19–22, 2010, 9.

  5. 5.

    RAD Diaspora Profile: The Nigerian Diaspora in the United States, Migration Policy Institute, Prepared for the Rockefeller Foundation-Aspen Institute Diaspora Program. July, 2014, http://www.migrationpolicy.org/sites/default/files/publications/RAD-Nigeria.pdf

  6. 6.

    Akanmu, “Brain Drain-Brain Gain…,” 9.

  7. 7.

    Olowoopejo M., “Over 1m Nigerians Live in London—Mayor of London.” House Committee on Diaspora (HCDA), 2013, http://diasporacommittee.com/index.php/media-center/news-and-events/126-over-1m-nigerians-live-in-london-mayor-of-london

  8. 8.

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  9. 9.

    Raul Hernandez-Coss and Egwuagu Chinyere Bun, “The U.K.—Nigeria Remittance Corridor: Challenges of Embracing Formal Transfer Systems in a Dual Financial Environment,” World Bank Working Paper No. 92, Washington, IBRD/World Bank, 2007, 3.

  10. 10.

    Marchand K., Langley S., and Siegel M., Diaspora Engagement in Development: An Analysis of the Engagement of the Nigerian Diaspora in Germany and the Potentials for Cooperation, (Maastricht: Maastricht Graduate School of Governance (MGSoG), 2015): 13–14.

  11. 11.

    Ibid.

  12. 12.

    “From the Field: An Agents Perspective on the Nigerian Market for Study Abroad,” ICEF Monitor, July 11 2014, http://monitor.icef.com/2014/07/from-the-field-an-agents-perspective-on-the-nigerian-market-for-study-abroad/

  13. 13.

    “Global Flow of Tertiary-Level Students,” UNESCO, 2014, http://www.uis.unesco.org/EDUCATION/Pages/international-student-flow-viz.aspx

  14. 14.

    From the Field: An Agents Perspective…”; De Haas, Hein, “International Migration and National Development: Viewpoints and Policy Initiatives in Countries of Origin. The Case of Nigeria,” Working Papers, Migration and Development Series, Nijmegen: Radboud University, Report no. 6, 2006.

  15. 15.

    Nigel Harris, The New Untouchables: Immigration and the New World Workers, (London: IB Taurus, 1997): 85.

  16. 16.

    Castles S., Development and Migration—Migration and Development: What Comes First? SSRC Migration & Development Conference Paper, no. 2, New York, NY, 2008. 1–2.

  17. 17.

    Sola Akinrinade and Olukoya Ogen, “Historicizing the Nigerian Diaspora: Nigerian Migrants and Homeland Relations,” Turkish Journal of Politics, Vol. 2, No. 2 (2011).

  18. 18.

    “Diaspora Associations,” House Committee on Diaspora Affairs (HCDA), 2015, http://diasporacommittee.com/index.php/diaspora-associations

  19. 19.

    Marchand et al., Diaspora Engagement in Development.

  20. 20.

    Clair Mercer, Ben Page and Martins Evans, Development and the African Diaspora: Place and the Politics of Home, (London: Zed Books, 2008); Hermione Harris, Yoruba in Diaspora: An African Church in London, (New York: Palmgrave Macmillan, 2006); Sola Akinrinade and Aderemi Ajibewa, “Globalization, Migration and the New African Diasporas: Toward a Framework of Understanding,” in Nigeria’s Struggle for Democracy and Good Governance, eds., Adigun Agbaje, Larry Diamond and Ebere Onwudiwe, 431–440 (Ibadan: Ibadan University Press, 2003).

  21. 21.

    Marc-Antoine Pérouse De Montclos, “Diasporas, Remittances and Africa South of the Sahara.” ISS Monograph Series, No. 112, March 2005.

  22. 22.

    Diaspora Associations.

  23. 23.

    “Nigeria 2015-Igbo in Diaspora dumps Jonathan.” Premium Times, August 29, 2014.

  24. 24.

    Akinrinade and Ajibewa, “Globalization, Migration and the New African Diasporas”: 437; Kole Ahmed Shettima, “Nigerian Prodemocracy Movements in the Diaspora.” Paper Presented at the ISA Conference in Washington, DC, February 1999.

  25. 25.

    Hein De Haas, “The Migration and Development Pendulum: A Critical View on Research and Policy,” International Migration, Vol. 50 (2012).

  26. 26.

    “Remittances to Developing Countries to Stay Robust This Year, Despite Increased Deportations of Migrant Workers, Says WB,” The World Bank, April 11, 2014, http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2014/04/11/remittances-developing-countries-deportations-migrant-workers-wb

  27. 27.

    Ibid.

  28. 28.

    Englama A., “The Impact of Remittance on Economic Development.” Bullion, Vol. 31, No. 4, October–December, 2007.

  29. 29.

    “FG to Focus on Remittances from Abroad.” This Day Live, December 19, 2014.

  30. 30.

    Aseffa B. S., “The Assessment of Nigerian Diaspora in the USA and Exploring its Potential Contribution to Sustainable Development,” A Capstone Paper Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for Master of Arts in Sustainable Development at School of International Training. World Learning Graduate Institute, 2013.

  31. 31.

    “Strategies for Mobilizing the Diaspora for Homeland Development: Case Studies of Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal,” Migration and Development——African Diaspora Policy Centre (ADPC), 2011; Obasanjo O., Keynote Address by His Excellency, President Olusegun Obasanjo (GCFR) at the Opening Ceremony of the Conference on Bridging the Digital and Scientific Divide: Forging a Constructive Relationship with the Nigerian Diaspora, Abuja, July 25, 2005.

  32. 32.

    “Nigerians in Diaspora Not Ripe for Vote: Says Senate,” House Committee on Diaspora (HCDA), http://diasporacommittee.com/index.php/media-center/news-and-events/102-senate-rules-out-voting-for-nigerians-in-diaspora-in-2015-elections; Olokor, F., “INEC Seeks Greater Powers, Diaspora Vote.” House Committee on Diaspora (HCDA), 2014, http://diasporacommittee.com/index.php/media-center/news-and-events/97-inec-seeks-greater-powers-diaspora-vote-

  33. 33.

    Onogu S., “Nigeria Not Ripe for Diaspora Voting, Says Senate,” The Nation, August 21, 2012.

  34. 34.

    “Nigerians in Diaspora Collect Signatures to Support Voting Right,” Leadership Newspaper, September 26, 2012.

  35. 35.

    Ezeemo Ndu Yahaya, “Nigeria: Stifling Its Diaspora?” The African Executive, 2015.

  36. 36.

    Monday Dickson, “Citizen Diplomacy in President Umaru Musa Yar’adua’s Nigeria, 2007–2009: An Assessment.” International Journal of Politics and Good Governance, Vol. 1, No. 1.3 Quarter III (2010); Sunday V. O. Okeke, “Citizen-Centric Diplomacy: The Challenges for Nigeria’s Defence and Security in the 21st Century.” International Affairs and Global Strategy, Vol. 27 (2014).

  37. 37.

    Akinkuotu S. O. Wapmuk and Ibonye V., “The Nigerian Diaspora and National Development: Contributions, Challenges, and Lessons from Other Countries.” Kritika Kultura, Vol. 23 (2014): 292–342; Nkwocha O., “Diaspora Nigerians Network Inc. USA, Calls on Nigeria’s President Jonathan to Implement Diaspora Public Policy Now,” The Nigerian Voice, 2011, http://radio.thenigerianvoice.com/; Nweke C., “Diaspora—Government Relationship for Nigeria National Development, Being a Paper Delivered at the Peace & Unity Lecture Organized by Belgium Luxemburg Chapter of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Europe in Brussels, November 1, 2013.

  38. 38.

    Soludo, “Is Nigeria Losing Her 17 Million Diaspora?”

  39. 39.

    Gamlen A., Why Engage Diasporas? ESRC Centre on Migration, Policy and Society WP-63, (Oxford: COMPAS, 2008).

  40. 40.

    Gamlen A., Diaspora Engagement Policies: What Are They, and What Kinds of States Use Them? ESRC Centre on Migration, Policy and Society WP-32, (Oxford: COMPAS, 2006).

  41. 41.

    Ibid.

  42. 42.

    “Remittances from Diaspora Nigerians as Lubricant for the Economy,” Nigerian Tribune, September 14, 2014.

  43. 43.

    Marchand et al., Diaspora Engagement in Development.

  44. 44.

    “Remittances from Diaspora Nigerians…”.

  45. 45.

    “Goldman Sachs, Stanbic To Lead Nigeria’s $100m Diaspora Bond Sale,” House Committee on Diaspora (HCDA). http://diasporacommittee.com/index.php/media-center/news-and-events/142-goldman-sachs-stanbic-to-lead-nigerias-100m-diaspora-bond-sale

  46. 46.

    Akinkuotu S. O. et al., The Nigerian Diaspora, 315.

  47. 47.

    “Diaspora Remittance Charges Will Be Reduced—Sanusi,” The Citizen (Nigeria), 2013.

  48. 48.

    NUC, “Linkage with Experts and Academics in the Diaspora Scheme (Leads),” Abuja, NUC, 2009.

  49. 49.

    “Strategies for Mobilizing the Diaspora for Homeland Development…”.

  50. 50.

    Akinrinade and Ogen, “Historicizing the Nigerian Diaspora…”.

  51. 51.

    “About AUST.” African University of Science and Technology (AUST), 2015, http://www.aust.edu.ng/about-aust/

  52. 52.

    http://www.aust.edu.ng/about-aust/.

  53. 53.

    Ibid.

  54. 54.

    Obasanjo O., Keynote Address.

  55. 55.

    Hagher I., Nigerians in the Diaspora: Their Role as Agents of Change and Development, Seminar Paper Presented at the Regional Seminar of Heads of Missions of Americas and Caribbean, Ottawa, September 4–6, 2009.

  56. 56.

    Akinkuotu S. O. et al., The Nigerian Diaspora…; Hagher I., Nigerians in the Diaspora…

  57. 57.

    Adebanwi W., Globally Oriented Citizenship and International Voluntary Service: Interrogating Nigeria’s Technical Aids Corps Scheme, Discussion Paper 71. Uppsala: Nordiska Afrika Institutet, 2011.

  58. 58.

    Marchand et al., Diaspora Engagement in Development.

  59. 59.

    De Haas, “The Migration and Development Pendulum…”; Castles S., Development and Migration.

  60. 60.

    Hagher I., Nigerians in the Diaspora…

  61. 61.

    Ajayi F., “When Dog Eats Dog: ‘The Concerned Nigerians in Diaspora’ ‘Board Of Directors’ Headache with the Nigerian Diaspora Trust Fund.” Nigeriaworld-Femi Ajayi’s Outlook, 2004, http://nigeriaworld.com/columnist/ajayi/030804.html

  62. 62.

    Obasanjo O., Keynote Address.

  63. 63.

    Mberu B. U., and Pongou R., Nigeria: Multiple Forms of Mobility in Africa’s Demographic Giant, Washington: Migration Policy Institute, 2010, http://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/nigeria-multiple-forms-mobility-africas-demographic-giant

  64. 64.

    Madu Onuorah and Mathias Okwe, “Nigerians Abroad move to Stimulate Investment Inflow,” The Guardian, February 16, 2009.

  65. 65.

    Ndubuisi F., “FG Parleys Nigerian Diaspora in US, Europe on Economic Development,” This Day, September 3, 2014.

  66. 66.

    “NIDO Cambodia,” Nigerians in Diaspora, http://www.nidocambodia.org/vision.php

  67. 67.

    “Promoting Better Management of Migration in Nigeria,” A Quarterly Newsletter Published by IOM-Nigeria for a 10th National EDF Project Funded by European Union, Abuja, IOM-Nigeria, 2014.

  68. 68.

    Manuel Orozco and Bryanna Mills, “Remittances, Competition and Fair Financial Access Opportunities in Nigeria,” United States Agency for International Development (USAID), (Washington: USAID, 2007).

  69. 69.

    Uche Nworah, “Study on Nigerian Diaspora,” Global Politician, 2005, http://www.globalpolitician.com/2682-nigeria

  70. 70.

    Babawale, Tunde, Africa and the African Diaspora: Challenges, Opportunities and Prospects, (Lagos: Malthouse Press, 2008): 28–37.

  71. 71.

    Englama A., “The Impact of Remittance on Economic Development…”.

  72. 72.

    “Remittances to Developing Countries to stay Robust this Year…”.

  73. 73.

    Plaza and Ratha, “Overview: Harnessing Diaspora Resources for Africa”.

  74. 74.

    Ibid.

  75. 75.

    The Associations of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA), 2015, http://www.anpa.org/anpa/faqs.html

  76. 76.

    Medical Associations of Nigerians in Great Britain (MASAG), 2015, http://www.mansag.org/stroke-care-in-nigeria/

  77. 77.

    “Remittances from Diaspora Nigerians as Lubricant for the Economy”.

  78. 78.

    Ibid.

  79. 79.

    Akwani O., “Looking for the Diaspora for Help in National Development.” IMDiverstiy, 2007, http://imdiversity.com/villages/global/nigeria-turning-the-brain-drain-into-brain-gain/

  80. 80.

    “Strategies for Mobilizing the Diaspora for Homeland Development…”.

  81. 81.

    Nweke C., Diaspora—Government Relationship for Nigeria National Development.

  82. 82.

    “Strategies for Mobilizing the Diaspora for Homeland Development…”.

  83. 83.

    Nkwocha O., “Diaspora Nigerians Network…”.

  84. 84.

    Nweke C., Diaspora—Government Relationship for Nigeria National Development.

  85. 85.

    Titus Olowookere, “What Nigerians in Diaspora Really Want in the Nigeria Diaspora Commission,” July 23, 2013, http://www.pointblanknews.com/pbn/articles-opinion/what-nigerians-in-diaspoa-really-want-in-the-nigeria-diaspora-commission

  86. 86.

    Dickson, “Citizen Diplomacy…”; Okeke, “Citizen-Centric Diplomacy…”.

  87. 87.

    “Nigeria: 6,000 Citizens in Foreign Jails over Drug Offences…”.

  88. 88.

    Edward Oparaoji, “Nigeria Diaspora Policy: Challenges and the Transformation Agenda,” Diaspora Nigerians Network (DNN), Address of the Interim Chairman delivered at the Diaspora Nigerians Town Hall Meeting with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Her Excellency Prof. (Mrs.) Viola Onwuliri, hosted by Diaspora Nigerians Network Inc. (DNN), at the Howard University, Washington DC, 2011.

  89. 89.

    Ibid.

  90. 90.

    Ibid.

  91. 91.

    Adedapo I., “Nigerians in Diaspora Can Drive Investment-Abraham.” The Punch, June 22, 2015.

  92. 92.

    Ibid.

  93. 93.

    Yahaya, “Nigeria: Stifling its Diaspora?”.

  94. 94.

    Uche Nworah, “Between Diasporas and Homeland Nigerians,” 2006, http://www.gamji.com/article5000/NEWS5964.htm

  95. 95.

    “House Applauds Voting by Nigerians in Diaspora,” The Guardian, February 2, 2009; “Parliament to Revisit Diaspora Voting Bill Following Court Ruling,” The Journal of Turkish Weekly (TJTW)—02-0, 2009, http://www.turkishweekly.net/news/63889/nigerian-parliament-to-revisit-diaspora-voting-bill-following-court-ruling-html; Hagher I., Nigerians in the Diaspora…

  96. 96.

    “2015 Polls: How Government, INEC Disenfranchise 17m Diaspora Nigerians,” Nigerian Daily News, March 26, 2015.

  97. 97.

    Olokor F., “INEC Seeks Greater Powers, Diaspora Vote.”

  98. 98.

    Diaspora Associations.

  99. 99.

    Ajayi F., “When Dog Eats Dog…”.

  100. 100.

    Ibid.

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Ogen, O. (2017). Nigeria: Diaspora Engagement Policies in National Context. In: Mangala, J. (eds) Africa and its Global Diaspora. African Histories and Modernities. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-50053-9_5

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