THE NIGERIAN DIASPORAS AND THE NEED TO HARVEST THE MISSING ASSETS

In recent times, the level of Africa emigrants in Asia, Europe and America had increased significantly due to various factors, especially in the 21st century. Thus, Nigeria as an entity is not left out of this exodus of indigenous human capacity and brain drain, which had looted the country of her viable human assets. Pitifully, Nigeria is yet to harvest or reintegrate these missing assets who had through the years become profitable Diasporas to the host countries. But amazingly, despite the overlook of Nigerian Diasporas as a viable actor needed to be incorporated into the developmental project of Nigeria, the Diasporas notwithstanding passionately contributes to the development of the country in various capacities. In contribution to existing views, this paper is poised to (i) examine Nigerian Diasporas (ii) the contributions of the Diaspora to Nigerian development and the immediate need for the present government to incorporate these missing asset into its Change Agenda, and (iii) the role that Historians and Diplomats can play in the realization of this objective. The study however, concludes that the Federal Government of Nigeria must learn to appreciate the Nigeria Diaspora and most significantly enhance the safety and security of the Diasporas abroad.