Nigeria’s sons and daughters living abroad send home billions of dollars every year, a lifeline for households and the broader economy. In 2023 alone, remittances to the country topped an estimated $20 billion, making Nigeria one of the largest recipients of migrant earnings in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Yet behind these staggering figures lies a paradox that has puzzled politicians, activists and ordinary citizens alike: those who keep the economy afloat from abroad cannot cast a ballot at home.
This contradiction is now part of a heated national conversation — one that goes far beyond figures in bank statements.
Money Without a Say
For millions of Nigerian families, diaspora remittances are more than just foreign exchange. They pay school fees, medical bills, rent and daily bills, and are credited with cushioning the impact of widespread poverty. Experts say that without this income, the hardship faced by an estimated 133 million Nigerians living in multi-dimensional poverty would be far more severe.
Yet, despite this vital economic role, political rights for Nigerians abroad remain unresolved.
Attempts to change the law — including a bill to amend the electoral act to allow diaspora voting — have stalled repeatedly in the National Assembly. At one point, a constitutional amendment to permit voting from abroad failed to muster sufficient support in parliament.
Lawmakers who oppose the measure often cite practical concerns: Nigeria still grapples with challenges in its domestic electoral process, from accurate voter register to secure result transmission. Some argue extending the ballot to London, New York or Johannesburg would only add to the logistical strain.
A Fight for Belonging
Campaigners, diaspora leaders and civil society voices see it differently.
At diaspora town hall meetings in New York and Europe, stakeholders have stressed that remittances alone are not enough. According to participants, financial contributions should be matched by political recognition and inclusion, allowing Nigerians abroad to influence the country’s direction, not just support it financially.
“We invest billions back home — surely we should have the right to vote,” said one diaspora representative, echoing a broader sentiment that civic identity without a voice feels hollow.
For many activists, the struggle is also moral. A change.org petition launched in late 2025 argues that denying voting rights to diaspora Nigerians contradicts core democratic principles — akin to the age-old cry of “no taxation without representation”.
More Than Logistics
Legal experts point to deeper obstacles in the constitution itself. Current law restricts voting to citizens physically present in the country at the time of elections — a provision that would need amendment before external voting could become reality.
But beyond legal text, there are political realities at play. Some politicians are wary of how a politically engaged diaspora might reshape electoral outcomes. Others question whether the institutions are ready for the technological and administrative demands of secure overseas voting.
A Question of Identity
So where does that leave Nigeria’s global citizens?
For many of the roughly 17 million Nigerians living overseas, remittances have become part of their identity — a financial bond to the homeland. But the lack of political rights leaves this relationship half-formed.
As one analyst put it: it is one thing to send money home, and quite another to have a say in how the country is run. The ultimate test for Nigeria’s democracy, some say, will be whether it can bridge that divide — not just on paper, but in practice.
