The number of Nigerians living abroad has reached approximately 2.1 million, while remittances from the diaspora stood at $21 billion, according to the 2024 annual report of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Nigeria, obtained on Wednesday.
The report indicates that Nigeria remains a major migration hub, serving as a country of origin, transit, and return. At the regional level, Nigeria is also the epicentre of displacement in the Lake Chad Basin, with over six million people affected — including 4.4 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) within Nigeria’s borders.
Nigerian emigration has witnessed a surge of over 244 per cent, rising from 610,200 in 2000 to about 2.1 million in 2024. The broader diaspora population, which includes second- and third-generation Nigerians, is estimated at 17 million and continues to contribute significantly to national development. In 2022 alone, they sent an estimated $20.9 billion in remittances — the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“These inflows are critical to household incomes, social welfare, and national investments, underscoring the diaspora’s importance as a national asset,” the report noted.
The IOM reported that by the end of 2024, there were a total of 3,575,144 internally displaced persons across Nigeria. These displacements were primarily due to ongoing insecurity in the North-East and North-West regions, as well as climate-induced displacement caused by flooding and environmental degradation.
The report stressed that internal displacement continues to pose major humanitarian and development challenges. It significantly restricts access to livelihoods, education, and long-term solutions for affected populations.
Nigerians on the Move: Addressing Migration Challenges and Harnessing Diaspora Potential
According to the IOM, Nigeria’s migration patterns are increasingly shaped by a combination of economic hardship, insecurity, and the impacts of climate change. The country continues to grapple with persistent issues of irregular migration, human trafficking, and forced displacement.
“In 2024, the number of Nigerian emigrants abroad reached approximately 2.1 million while remittances hit $21bn, underscoring the economic and developmental significance of the Nigerian diaspora,” the report stated.
The IOM acknowledged that Nigeria has stepped up its migration governance efforts, taking a prominent role in regional and international initiatives such as the Rabat Process and ECOWAS frameworks. These efforts are geared towards promoting regular migration pathways and protecting migrant rights, while also benefiting from regional free movement policies.
However, the report highlighted challenges that continue to hinder effective migration management. Weak state presence and porous borders in conflict-affected areas were cited as key obstacles to regulating cross-border movement effectively.
The IOM’s Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration programme has also seen a rise in the number of returnees, reinforcing the need for stronger reintegration mechanisms. The report warned that “gaps persist in post-return support, job creation, and economic reintegration — especially for youth and women returnees.”
Additionally, border management in Nigeria remains fragmented, according to the report. Limited inter-agency coordination, outdated infrastructure, and challenges in integrating biometric data systems continue to undermine the country’s capacity to monitor and regulate migration flows.
“Going forward, enhancing migration governance will require greater intergovernmental coordination, investment in migration data systems, and stronger collaboration with regional partners. Strengthening diaspora engagement, expanding regular migration pathways, and reinforcing reintegration programmes will be critical to ensuring that migration serves as a driver of development rather than a source of vulnerability,” the report stated.
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