Billions with ballot: Diaspora Nigerians ride on annual $20.9bn remittances to decide nation’s leadership
…Diasporans now foreign investors, Sowore mocks
…Cynics doubt Nigeria’s readiness for diaspora voting
As Nigeria inches closer to the 2027 general election, a familiar debate is resurfacing, one that questions the exclusion of millions of Nigerians abroad from the country’s electoral process.
From New York to London and Toronto, voices are growing louder, demanding that those who fuel the economy with billions of dollars each year be allowed to help decide the nation’s leadership.
The billions that keep Nigeria afloat
There are over 17 million Nigerians living outside the country, according to estimates, and many of them continue to play a vital role in sustaining families, supporting communities, and stabilising the economy back home.
Official data shows that diaspora remittances reached $20.93 billion in 2024, more than four times the total value of Nigeria’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) that same year. The World Bank reports that Nigeria alone accounted for nearly 37 percent of Sub-Saharan Africa’s total inflows, cementing its place as one of the largest recipients of remittances on the continent.
These funds are not abstract figures moving across digital platforms. They represent school fees paid, hospital bills settled, rent covered, and small businesses kept afloat. Yet, despite their economic influence, diaspora Nigerians are still spectators in the country’s democratic process.
“Today, remittances from citizens abroad are higher, sometimes, than the money we make from oil and gas,” noted Femi Falana (SAN) in a recent interview.
“So, if they are remitting millions of dollars, which go a long way to improve the economy, they also have a right to demand that they be allowed to participate in electing the leaders of the country.”
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A growing movement abroad
In September, a diverse group of Nigerians, activists, professionals, and community leaders, gathered in New York for a town hall meeting themed ‘Will Nigeria’s Diaspora Be Silenced Again in 2027?’ The message was clear and unified: Nigerians in the diaspora deserve the right to vote.
Speakers at the meeting argued that diaspora participation would not only empower citizens abroad but also strengthen the overall democratic process.
Among the most passionate voices at the event was Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate and pro-democracy activist, who joined virtually, likened diaspora Nigerians to foreign investors.
“The diasporans have become almost the foreign investors that you’ve been hearing about,” Sowore said. “It is Nigerians who now live abroad who actually are the foreigners who invest in Nigeria. And anybody who brings in over 50 million dollars into an economy should not be asking or begging to vote.”
Learning from Africa’s neighbours
At the town hall, speakers cited examples from other African nations that have already embraced diaspora voting. Kenya has gradually expanded voting rights to its citizens living overseas. South Africa allows its nationals to vote at embassies and consulates abroad, while Ghana has piloted programs that enable its citizens to cast their ballots from embassies.
“We all care about elections, but most of us cannot actually travel back home just to vote,” one participant noted. “Ghana, South Africa, and others have all found ways to include their citizens overseas, and we can do the same.”
These examples have become a rallying point for advocates who argue that Nigeria, with its global diaspora presence, has no excuse to lag behind.
Is Nigeria ready yet?
Despite the growing momentum, critics insist that the call for diaspora voting is premature. They argue that Nigeria’s existing electoral system, still marred by irregularities, technical glitches, and disputes, is ill-equipped to manage the complexities of an overseas voting structure.
“How can we talk about diaspora voting when we still struggle to conduct credible elections within Nigeria?” a political analyst questioned. “We’re yet to perfect the process at home, expanding it abroad could amplify the chaos.”
Skeptics also warn that diaspora voting could be exploited politically, citing concerns over the transparency of voter registration and result transmission.
“INEC still battles to transmit results reliably across Nigeria’s 36 states,” the critic said. “Imagine the challenges of handling votes from London, New York, or Johannesburg. Without a solid system, it could lead to more distrust, not more democracy.”
Others raise logistical and constitutional concerns, including how to verify citizenship, prevent double voting, and ensure that results from abroad are safely transmitted. For many of these critics, the issue is not whether diaspora Nigerians deserve to vote, but whether Nigeria’s institutions are ready to make it happen.
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Legislative efforts and constitutional hurdles
In 2024, the push for diaspora voting took a step forward in Nigeria’s National Assembly. A bill seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution to allow Nigerians abroad to vote passed Second Reading in the House of Representatives.
The proposed amendment targets Sections 77(2) and 117(2) of the Constitution to include citizens “residing within or outside Nigeria” at the time of voter registration as eligible voters.
The bill has since been referred to the constitutional amendment committee for further consideration. Yet, advocates remain cautious. A similar proposal in the 9th National Assembly failed to gain enough traction and was ultimately dropped.
Supporters believe that passing the bill would correct a long-standing democratic imbalance.
“It’s not just about fairness,” said one advocate. “It’s about recognising that citizenship and participation should not end at the airport gate.”
Beyond legislation, many see the lack of a clear policy framework as the main obstacle. Nigerians abroad, many of whom work in systems where efficiency and institutional strength are the norm, have urged their home government to adopt a more practical and innovative approach.
Some suggest a phased implementation, starting with presidential elections or selected embassies, while others argue that time is already running out ahead of 2027.
For Nigeria, the diaspora voting debate has become more than a legal or logistical question, it’s a test of the country’s democratic maturity. Those in favor see it as an overdue reform that would give millions of Nigerians abroad a voice in shaping their homeland’s future. Opponents view it as a well-intentioned idea that risks backfiring if rushed into an unready system.
But amid the debate, one truth remains undeniable: diaspora Nigerians have become indispensable to the nation’s survival. Their remittances cushion families, sustain businesses, and stabilise the economy. Whether their voices will finally be heard at the ballot box in 2027 is a question only time and political will can answer.
