Watch the video: https://s3.amazonaws.com/downloads2.unmultimedia.org/public/video/ondemand/2907923_MSG+DSG+MOHAMMED+NATIONAL+DIASPORA+DAY+19+JUL+22.mov

Ladies and gentlemen,

I am pleased to help commemorate Nigeria’s National Diaspora Day.

I thank the Chairperson and CEO of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission, my dear sister, Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa, for organizing this event and for her outstanding leadership on this issue.

I would also like to commend President Buhari and his government for inaugurating National Diaspora Day in 2019 and, more recently, for helping establish the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Trust Fund.

Nigeria’s greatest asset is its people, and it is wonderful that we are celebrating our contributions on the international stage.

The diaspora of our great nation has been incredibly successful wherever they have gone, enriching societies across the globe.

I meet them everywhere that my work with the United Nations brings me. From academia to art, from sport to science, from the Grammys to Star Wars, our diaspora has scaled the heights and brought pride to our Nigerian brothers and sisters.

The United Nations estimates that Nigeria has a diaspora population of more than 1.7 million. These Nigerians are much more than the billions of naira they send home in remittances. If we can fully harness their ideas, talents, and experiences, it will supercharge Nigeria’s growth and help meet our people’s development aspirations.

Let the great successes of our diaspora be an inspiration to us all, especially to the members of the so-called youth bulge in Nigeria. The diaspora’s example should instil in the millions of young Nigerians that they have the talent to change both Nigeria and the world.

Thank you.