Aihawu urges Nigeria to recognise foreigners’ contributions to national development

The Director of the Platform for Cooperation on Mixed Migration (PCMM), Victor Aihawu, has urged the Federal Government to recognise the contributions of foreign nationals living and working in Nigeria, describing them as important stakeholders in the country's development.

Aihawu, who is also the founder of the Cultural Hangout Festival (CHF), said Nigeria should adopt a broader approach to national development by acknowledging the economic, professional and cultural contributions of migrant communities.

He made the call in an article titled “Why Nigeria Must Recognise the Foreign Nationals Contributing to Its Development,” where he described foreign residents who have established businesses, built families and contributed to local communities as Nigeria's “diaspora within.”

He observed that while the country celebrates Nigerians living abroad for their remittances, investments and professional achievements, it pays comparatively little attention to foreign nationals who have made Nigeria their home.

Aihawu cited Ghanaian entrepreneurs operating businesses in Abuja, Indian industrialists employing Nigerians in Lagos, Lebanese families with longstanding businesses and foreign professionals transferring expertise to Nigerian institutions as examples of migrants contributing to the economy.

According to him, these individuals may retain their national identities and connections to their countries of origin, but they also have a stake in Nigeria's progress.

“They are somebody else’s diaspora, but they are also stakeholders in Nigeria’s development. That is what I mean by the diaspora within,” he said.

Aihawu argued that diaspora engagement should not be limited to countries seeking investments and expertise from their citizens abroad, noting that host countries also benefit from the skills, businesses, capital and international networks migrants bring.

He maintained that foreign entrepreneurs operating in Nigeria contribute to the economy in the same way Nigerian business owners contribute to the economies of countries where they establish businesses.

He stressed that recognising these contributions would not require abandoning the responsibilities of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) or granting foreign nationals privileges outside existing immigration and investment laws.

Rather, he called for a complementary development strategy that acknowledges resident migrants while encouraging more foreign entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, researchers and innovators to invest and work in Nigeria.

He added that foreign professionals and former international students could strengthen trade, tourism, cultural diplomacy and partnerships between Nigeria and other countries.

However, Aihawu said these benefits would depend partly on whether migrants felt respected, secure and able to participate productively in Nigerian society.

He urged the government to promote fair treatment, transparent administrative procedures, respect for rights and responsible migration governance.

He also called on policymakers to improve documentation of migrant communities' contributions by gathering data on migrant-owned businesses, employment opportunities created, skills transferred and international networks established through their activities.

Beyond economic contributions, he said foreign nationals also enrich Nigerian society through education, community service, marriage, cuisine, music, art and cultural exchange.

Aihawu said these ideas informed the Cultural Hangout Festival in Abuja, an initiative organised to commemorate the United Nations International Migrants Day through music, food, fashion and cultural activities.

He, however, emphasised that recognition should extend beyond festivals and ceremonial celebrations, urging stronger cooperation among government institutions responsible for immigration, investment, labour, culture, tourism and international relations.

He maintained that Nigeria should uphold the same standards of dignity and fairness it expects for its citizens living abroad, particularly when they face discrimination or exclusion.

“The diaspora is not always across the ocean. Sometimes, it lives next door, operates the business down the street, teaches our children, employs our young people or has become part of our families,” he said.

Aihawu added that Nigeria's future prosperity would depend not only on mobilising the contributions of its citizens at home and abroad but also on attracting and appreciating foreign nationals who choose to contribute to the country's development.