In a bustling London office, Dr. Amaka Nwosu, a Nigerian-born fintech consultant, repeatedly presses “refresh” on her phone. She’s checking the latest news from home another kidnapping, another raid. Back when she first moved abroad, she dreamed of returning someday. But as stories of insecurity dominate the headlines, that dream fades. She’s not alone. Many Nigerians in the diaspora hesitate to return, invest, or even visit, because they fear the country they left are no longer safe. This fear is not just a personal concern it’s a national economic problem. Security isn’t just a public good; it’s a core economic asset. Without it, investment dries up, businesses shutter, and the vital potential of the Nigerian diaspora remains locked out. Security has always been the quiet engine behind great economies. Wherever stability thrives, investment follows. Wherever safety is guaranteed, innovation grows. But in Nigeria today, the absence of security has become one of the greatest threats to our development and our connection to millions of Nigerians in the diaspora who long for home but fear the realities on the ground.
Consider the story of Dr. Amaka Nwosu, a Nigerian fintech consultant living in London. She checks the news from home daily, hoping for signs of change. Instead, she wakes up to another report of kidnappings, another village attacked, another highway unsafe for travel. She loves her country deeply, but she hesitates to return, not because she lacks patriotism but because she fears for her safety. This hesitation is shared by countless Nigerians abroad. And this hesitation is costing the nation billions in lost opportunities. Security is not just a moral obligation; it is the foundation of economic progress. Without it, nothing grows.
The High Cost of Insecurity on Nigeria’s Economy
Nigeria loses an estimated eight percent of its GDP every year to violence and conflict, an equivalent of roughly ₦50 trillion in economic value. These losses come from disruptions in key sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, small businesses, tourism, and technology. Farmers are abandoning their lands due to attacks in rural areas, causing a drop in food production and spiking prices nationwide. Companies are relocating or downsizing due to the threat of violence. Investors, both local and foreign, hesitate to commit funds because they cannot guarantee the safety of their assets or personnel.
A study on Benue State showed that a one percent increase in violence reduces crop output by 0.21 percent and livestock income by 0.31 percent. This has a direct, measurable impact on livelihoods. The decline in agricultural productivity drives inflation, increases hunger, and weakens rural economies. Insecurity also restricts internal movement. When people cannot travel safely for business, trade slows down. Transport companies raise prices to cover security logistics. Delivery times increase. The chain of productivity breaks down.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government continues to divert a large percentage of public funds into security personnel, equipment, and emergency response money that should have been going into infrastructure, education, or energy. Even when security spending increases, studies show it does not always translate into growth because spending mostly goes into crisis management rather than prevention and long-term stability.
Why Many in the Diaspora Are Afraid to Return
This economic cost is only one side of the story. The emotional and psychological impact on Nigerians abroad is immense. Many diasporans want to return home to invest, to build businesses, or simply reconnect with their roots. But insecurity remains their biggest fear.
Kidnappings have become a major deterrent. The fear of being targeted because they are perceived as wealthy prevents many from visiting. The business climate also feels risky. For example, a diaspora investor may buy land for a hotel or tech hub, but if violence erupts in that region, the entire investment collapses.
This fear affects even short visits. Holidays, funerals, weddings, or trips to reconnect with family become a gamble. Parents abroad question whether it is safe to bring their children home for Christmas. Many conclude it is not.
Diaspora communities often say they love Nigeria from afar because loving Nigeria up close now feels dangerous.
Motherland Week and the National Response
In an effort to reconnect with Nigerians abroad, the government has introduced initiatives like Motherland Week. The idea is to celebrate culture, heritage, innovation, and global Nigerian success stories. It seeks to encourage diasporans to visit home, invest in industries, and partner with local communities. These initiatives are important. They show that the government recognizes the power of the diaspora, a global network of millions who contribute billions in remittances annually. Motherland Week is a symbolic step toward reuniting the diaspora with their homeland.
But the reality remains: celebrations alone cannot guarantee safety. A cultural festival cannot outweigh the fear of kidnapping on the highway. A welcome reception cannot replace the need for secure communities, well-equipped security forces, and functioning intelligence systems. The diaspora wants to return, but they want to return to a Nigeria that protects them.
Security as an Economic Asset
Across the world, nations grow when citizens feel safe. Tourism thrives. Real estate is expanding. Investors commit capital. Skilled workers return home. Talent circulates freely.
For Nigeria, improving security would unlock several economic advantages. First, it would restore investor confidence. Diaspora investors, who often have stronger emotional ties and lower risk thresholds, would be among the first to return. Their investments in tech, healthcare, real estate, film, and agriculture could spark rapid economic renewal.
Second, security would strengthen the workforce. Nigerian professionals abroad hold some of the highest qualifications in medicine, engineering, academia, business, and the creative arts. Many say they would return if the environment were stable.
Third, a safer Nigeria boosts tourism. Events like Motherland Week, Afro-festivals, heritage tours, homecoming concerts, and December festivities attract thousands of visitors, but these can grow tenfold with proper security.
Fourth, stable communities allow small businesses to thrive. Most Nigerian jobs come from SMEs, and these small firms cannot survive in environments of fear.
What the Government Must Do to Restore Trust
The government has a crucial role to play in turning security into the country’s strongest economic force. Several actions are necessary.
There must be a dedicated security strategy for diaspora returnees, including safe zones, enhanced airport-to-city escorts, and responsive security units for diaspora-related cases. Strengthening community policing is also essential. Many conflicts begin at the local level, so early warnings and rapid communication can prevent escalation. Government must also invest more in modern intelligence systems drones, surveillance networks, border monitoring technologies rather than relying solely on manpower.
Border control must be tightened. Nigeria’s porous borders have facilitated the inflow of weapons and extremist elements. While fencing may not solve everything, it should be part of a larger framework involving regional diplomacy and intelligence sharing.
Transparency is another vital step. The government must publish detailed security reports and show citizens and diaspora communities exactly how resources are being used. Accountability restores trust.
Special diaspora liaison offices should be strengthened to support investors, resolve security concerns, and ensure smooth processes for business registration, land acquisition, and residency.
What the Diaspora Can Contribute
The diaspora is not just a source of remittance; it is a reservoir of knowledge, influence, and global credibility. They can help in several ways.
Diaspora networks can push for international partnerships that support Nigeria’s security reforms. They can invest in local businesses, especially those that improve technology, infrastructure, and community development. By supporting NGOs and peace-building initiatives, they can help reduce the root causes of conflict.
They can also use international platforms to tell Nigeria’s story truthfully, challenge misinformation, and advocate for reforms that strengthen democracy and national security.
A Future Worth Returning To
If Nigeria makes security a priority, the effect will ripple across every sector. Roads will be safer. Farms will expand. Investors will return. Businesses will grow. Refugees and internally displaced people will be rebuilt. Diaspora communities will regain confidence in the homeland. Motherland Week will not just be an event, but a symbol of a country that has found its footing.
Nigeria can become a nation that its sons and daughters proudly return to. But this requires a national commitment to making security our greatest economic asset. It requires vision, leadership, and the courage to build a country where safety is the birthright of every citizen and every diasporan who wishes to come home. The path to prosperity starts with protection. If Nigeria can secure its land, it can secure its future.
Call to Action
Government: Treat security policy as economic policy and deliver real protection.
Diaspora: Invest with purpose, advocate with power, and engage with home.
All Nigerians: Demand that your country’s safety becomes your country’s strength. Nigeria’s second independence requires more than celebration, it requires courage, reform, and a security system built for growth.