Shettima Urges Nigerians in Diaspora to Support Tinubu’s Economic Reforms

Shettima Urges Nigerians in Diaspora to Support Tinubu’s Economic Reforms

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on Nigerians in the diaspora, particularly those living in the United States, to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in its efforts to transform the country’s economy and improve national development.

Shettima made the appeal on Wednesday during an interactive session with members of the Nigerian diaspora community at the Nigeria House in New York. The meeting was organised and coordinated by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

The Vice President said the administration was working to reposition the economy, particularly in education, healthcare, science and technology, and agriculture, while leveraging the expertise and intellectual capacity of Nigerians abroad.

He described the diaspora community as “the greatest resource of the future,” stressing that Nigerians possess the knowledge and ability to harness the country’s potential and drive sustainable development.

“Citizens of our country have the capacity and intellect to harness our nation’s potentials and take it to greater heights,” he said.

Speaking on the reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration, Shettima said the President had demonstrated courage by taking difficult decisions to reposition the economy rather than blaming his predecessor for the country’s challenges.

“When President Tinubu assumed office, he did not resort to trading blames and accusing his predecessor for the state of affairs of our nation. Rather, he took decisions that only a leader of courage and conviction would take,” he said.

Shettima said the reforms were beginning to yield results, citing an increase in Nigeria’s foreign reserves from $3.9 billion to more than $55 billion and economic growth of 4.45 per cent in the last quarter.

He added that improvements in the exchange rate and foreign reserves would help safeguard diaspora remittances, support exchange-rate stability and protect investments made by Nigerians living abroad.

The Vice President said the administration was committed to redefining modern governance, noting that Africa was increasingly becoming central to global economic growth and that Nigeria had a significant role to play.

“We are working day and night to reposition the Nigerian nation as investment confidence is returning to Nigeria, and the Dangote Refinery success story is a true manifestation in recent times,” he said.

“Be rest assured that beyond the negative stories that you hear and see on social media, Nigeria is open for business. We have crossed the rubicon, and we are on the path of sustained growth.”

On education, Shettima highlighted the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), stating that more than 1.29 million students in tertiary institutions had accessed loans totalling ₦125 billion since the programme began.

Addressing security challenges, he acknowledged the difficulties facing the country, noting that the administration was deploying available resources to tackle emerging threats.

He also called on Nigerians to promote national unity and work collectively towards a prosperous country, stressing that the values that unite the nation should take precedence over differences.

“Whatever binds us together supersedes whatever divides us as a people,” he said.

Those present at the meeting included Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum; Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara; Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal; and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele.

Also in attendance were the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard Doro; Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake; and Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim.

Other officials included Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning Doris Uzoka-Anite; Minister of State for the FCT Mariya Bunkure; Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim; Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Kayode Are; heads of government agencies; and senior officials of the Nigerian mission in the United States.

Shettima Urges Nigerians in Diaspora to Support Tinubu’s Economic Reforms