By John Alechenu, Abuja

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has said Nigeria will attract more from the US$53bn Diaspora remittances to Sub-Saharan Africa if it reduces the fees charged for remittances from the current 7.5% to 3% and set up a diaspora bank.

She said this soon after her appointment was announced by the Senate President, Goodwill Akpabio, in Abuja, on Tuesday.

Akpoti-Uduaghan said, “No country has received as much of foreign inflow like Nigeria in the last decade. In the wake of the ‘JAPA’ season, Nigeria’s foreign inflow put at $25bn is likely to increase. 

“In 2024, the remittance flow to Subharan Africa reached $54bn with Nigeria accounting for 35.19 per cent.

“It can increase if the cost of sending money is reduced from 7.5% to 3% and consider having Diaspora bank in Nigeria like Ghana.”

The senator also emphasised the enormous financial contributions made by Nigerians abroad, stressing the need to make it easier and cheaper for them to send money back home.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, also vowed to commit herself to prioritising the welfare and general well-being of Nigerians in the Diaspora through positive engagements at home and abroad.

She also pledged to take steps to pursue ways and means of ensuring that Nigeria leverages the expertise of its diaspora community to improve our benefit from global technological advancements.

The federal lawmaker also expressed optimism that her leadership of the committee would bring significant benefits to Nigeria and its diaspora community.

The Senate earlier named Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu (APC-Abia) and Sen. Babangida Hussaini (APC-Jigawa) as Chairmen of Senate Committees on the South-East Development Commission and North-West Development Commission, respectively.

Also named as Vice Chairmen of the committees were: Sen. Mohammed Dandutse (APC-Katsina), North-West Development Commission, and Sen. Ken Eze (APC-Ebonyi), South East Development Commission, amongst others.