Inclusion Starts at the Ballot

Billions of dollars are sent home every year. Streets are named after returnees. Diaspora real estate summits are packed, and homecoming festivals now double as brand activations. Yet when election season arrives, a simple question lingers in the air like unfinished business: Why can’t Nigerians in the diaspora vote?

As Nigeria prepares for its 2027 general elections, this question is more urgent than ever. From biometric enrollment via the BVN for non-residents to the bold promises of Motherland 2025, the government has made clear efforts to court the diaspora community. But one foundational right still hangs in the balance—representation. For a nation that calls its diaspora “the 37th state,” it’s time that rhetoric meets rights.

Voting is not just a mechanism—it’s the currency of trust. And in the coming years, the push for diaspora voting may become Nigeria’s most important test of whether inclusion means more than ceremonial welcome.

The Gap Between Contribution and Control

According to World Bank data, Nigerians abroad remitted an estimated $20.1 billion in 2022, and the Central Bank of Nigeria reported over $4.2 billion in remittances via IMTOs alone between January and October 2024. Beyond financial contributions, diaspora Nigerians are increasingly building startups, mentoring youth, and funding local infrastructure. So, why are they still excluded from one of the most basic democratic rights?

The contradiction is glaring. Diasporans are encouraged to register businesses, buy land, obtain BVNs, and pay taxes. They are invited to headline conferences and sponsor innovation challenges. But when the time comes to shape the country’s leadership and policy direction, they’re asked to sit out.

This is more than an oversight—it’s a design flaw in the very architecture of civic inclusion.

Diaspora Voting Works Elsewhere—Why Not Nigeria?

Nigeria is far from South Africa provides a compelling model. Since 2009, following a Constitutional Court ruling, South African citizens living abroad have been allowed to vote in national elections. The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) facilitates this by enabling online voter registration and coordinating in-person voting at embassies, consulates, and high commissions worldwide. In the 2024 general elections, over 76,000 South Africans registered to vote abroad, with voting conducted at 111 foreign missions by nations that have successfully created pathways for their citizens abroad to vote.

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The United States has long allowed absentee voting, enabling American citizens to mail in ballots or vote at consulates during federal elections. South Africa permits its citizens abroad to vote in national elections through embassies and high commissions. Ghana, which launched the “Year of Return” in 2019, passed legislation enabling diaspora voting back in 2006, although the implementation remains patchy.

The diaspora has built companies, schools, tech platforms, and even waterparks back home. Now they’re asking for one thing in return: a voice. Not a symbolic voice, but a ballot-powered one.

These systems are not without flaws, but they prove one thing: it is technically possible. The real barriers are usually political will, administrative planning, and legal readiness—not infrastructure.

The BVN, Digital Identity, and the Foundation for Inclusion

Interestingly, the building blocks for diaspora voting may already be falling into place.

In 2024, the Central Bank of Nigeria rolled out the Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN) initiative. This allowed Nigerians in the diaspora to obtain verified digital IDs and financial access—even without local bank accounts or SIM registration. For the first time, millions of Nigerians abroad had a pathway to formal identification.

This is more than a banking policy—it’s a gateway. The BVN could form the digital backbone for diaspora voter registration. Biometric data, tied to a secure national database, creates the potential for remote identity verification—one of the biggest challenges in diaspora voting.

If Nigeria can provide digital tools for real estate, taxes, and remittances, then it can certainly develop a secure portal for electoral participation. The question isn’t capacity—it’s commitment.

What’s Really at Stake: Trust, Transparency, and the Social Contract

Allowing diaspora voting is not just about rights—it’s about rebuilding faith.

Many in the diaspora are skeptical of governance at home. Some are disillusioned by years of unfulfilled promises, erratic policies, and political stagnation. Others have begun to re-engage, building startups, leading accelerators, and launching community projects in their home states. But one thing continues to erode confidence: lack of a clear pathway to help shape the system from within.

Giving diaspora Nigerians the right to vote would send a powerful message: “We don’t just want your money—we want your mind, your mandate, your participation.”

It would also compel the government to build systems that are more transparent and secure—because now, the eyes of the world would be watching, not just as observers, but as voters.

What We Can Learn from the U.S. and Others

In the United States, over 8 million Americans living abroad are eligible to vote. Through the Federal Voting Assistance Programme (FVAP), the U.S. has built systems allowing citizens to vote by mail, email, or fax, depending on the state. Embassies are trained to guide citizens through the process. While these systems are not flawless, they offer a useful model.

Nigeria can build its own diaspora voting programme by studying these three pillars: Secure digital ID integration (via NIN or BVN), Embassy-coordinated logistics, and Legislative clarity backed by cross-party support.

Countries like the Philippines and Mexico have also embraced diaspora voting using hybrid systems. Their examples show that a mix of physical and digital participation—anchored in transparency—is not only possible, but beneficial.

Compulsory Voting: A Misguided Solution?

In response to low voter turnout, Nigeria’s National Assembly has considered a compulsory voting bill, which would mandate that all eligible citizens participate in elections or face penalties.

However, critics argue that this approach addresses the symptom rather than the cause. As journalist Bola Bolawole notes, “Elementary Civics describes voting as a civic responsibility or duty which a good, responsible, and responsive citizen is expected to discharge enthusiastically and without compulsion.”

Instead of coercion, efforts should focus on making the electoral process more inclusive, transparent, and accessible—particularly for the diaspora, whose engagement could significantly bolster voter participation and trust in the system.

Ballots Beyond Borders, and the Future of Citizenship

If Nigeria wants to take its diaspora seriously, it must go beyond visibility. It must embrace inclusion.

Motherland 2025 is a powerful gesture. The NRBVN rollout is a meaningful step. But the real test—the real trust signal—will be whether a Nigerian abroad, with a valid BVN and passport, can cast a vote in 2027 that counts.

The question isn’t whether it can be done. It’s whether we want it badly enough to make it happen.

The diaspora has built companies, schools, tech platforms, and even waterparks back home. Now they’re asking for one thing in return: a voice. Not a symbolic voice, but a ballot-powered one. Because for democracy to mean something in the 21st century, it must travel with its people—even across oceans.

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According to the apex bank, the innovative digital gateway allows Nigerians in the diaspora to obtain a BVN remotely without the need for a physical presence in Nigeria.

The CBN Governor, Mr Yemi Cardoso, described the initiative as a milestone in Nigeria’s financial inclusion journey and a critical bridge connecting the country to its global citizens.

“For too long, many Nigerians abroad have faced difficulties accessing financial services at home due to physical verification requirements.

“The NRBVN changes that. Through secure digital verification and robust Know Your Customer, KYC, processes, Nigerians worldwide should now be able to access financial services more easily and affordably,” he said.

Cardoso described the NRBVN as a dynamic platform.

“It is not the final destination, but it is the beginning of a broader journey.

“Stakeholders across the financial ecosystem, including banks, fintechs, and International Money Transfer Operators, IMTOs, are encouraged to integrate and collaborate in shaping and refining the system as it evolves,” he said.

He said that remittance flows through formal channels increased from 3.3 billion dollars in 2023 to 4.73 billion dollars in 2024, due to recent reforms and policy shifts, including the introduction of the willing buyer, willing seller FX regime.

According to him, with the NRBVN in place, the CBN is optimistic about reaching its one billion dollars monthly remittance target.

“We are building a secure, efficient, and inclusive financial ecosystem for Nigerians globally.

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“This platform is not just about financial access, it is about national inclusion, innovation, and shared prosperity,” he said.

Cardoso also reiterated the apex bank’s commitment to reducing the high cost of remittances in Sub-Saharan Africa and ensuring continued engagement with stakeholders to optimise the platform.

In his remarks, Muhammad Abdullahi, CBN’s Deputy Governor, Economic Policy Directorate, said that the NRBVN stood as a transformative tool, meticulously designed to enhance the banking experience for our diaspora community.

Abdullahi said that by providing secure, remote access to financial services, the platform simplifies the process of maintaining robust banking relationships, facilitating meaningful investments in Nigeria, and supporting the seamless flow of remittances.

“It is our firm belief that this initiative will not only strengthen economic ties, it will also foster a sense of pride and belonging among Nigerians worldwide, encouraging them to play an even greater role in our nation’s development,” he said.

The inauguration also featured a presentation by the Managing Director of NIBSS, Mr Premier Oiwoh, and a panel discussion with key industry stakeholders.

The NRBVN is part of a broader framework that includes the Non-Resident Ordinary Account, NROA, and Non-Resident Nigerian Investment Account, NRNIA.

Together, they enable access to savings, mortgages, insurance, pensions, and investment opportunities in Nigeria’s capital markets.

Under current regulations, Nigerians in the diaspora will retain the flexibility to repatriate the proceeds of their investments.

Importantly, the NRBVN system has been built with global standards in mind, incorporating stringent Anti-Money Laundering, AML, and KYC compliance protocols to ensure the integrity, transparency, and security of Nigeria’s financial system.

Every NRBVN enrollment undergoes comprehensive verification checks to safeguard against illicit financial activity, bolstering international confidence in the platform and the broader financial ecosystem.

Source: NAN

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Its Acting-Director, Corporate Communications, Alhaji Isa Abdulmumin, said this in a statement on Wednesday.

Abdulmumin said that the claim was completely false and therefore advised bank customers to be guided accordingly.

“The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria has been drawn to reports suggesting that the Bank Verification Number issued by the Bank in collaboration with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) expires after a ten-year period.

“Contrary to these claims, we wish to clarify that the BVN issued in Nigeria has no expiry date.

“Once a customer’s biometrics have been captured and enrolled in the database of NIBSS, the BVN remains for life.

“However, the Regulatory Framework for BVN issued by the CBN in 2021 stipulates that customers can only change their records due to certain conditions spelt out in the document and after being cleared by relevant authorities.

“Therefore, we urge bank customers in the country, especially those whose biometrics have been captured by the system, to continue using their unique identifiers as they last their entire lifetime,” he said.

The BVN is an 11 digit number that acts as an individual’s universal ID in all banks in Nigeria.

It ensures a customer can engage securely in transactions at any Point of Banking operations.

Source: NAN

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The coronavirus pandemic is still here. It has come to destroy, to disrupt and to distribute opportunities. To seize some of these opportunities, you need to understand that things would no longer be done as usual. You see, seizing opportunities is not, will not and cannot be easy. Besides, the opportunity is not canned like sardines. To seize an opportunity and turn it into gold, you need some work, some heavy lifting and sweat. That is what the Central Bank of Nigeria [CBN] needs to do to tap into the opportunity shore up by the pandemic.

If the CBN would achieve its target of increasing the financial inclusion rate by 95 per cent in Nigeria by 2024, as it has projected, the apex bank should wrap its arms around this present opportunity. Doing so would assist the CBN to harmonise data in the banking system. For a start, this pandemic has lured the majority of Nigerians into the arms of online transactions. Many Nigerians are using the ATM-like never before. They conduct transactions on mobile apps like never before. They are embracing online funds transfer and PoS for personal and corporate needs. This affirmation was attested to by the management of First Bank recently when it announced that N1.8 trillion transactions occurred on the bank’s online platforms.

If the CBN would achieve its target of increasing the financial inclusion rate by 95 per cent in Nigeria by 2024, as it has projected, the apex bank should wrap its arms around this present opportunity.

This further shows that more Nigerians have been wooed by the cashless policy and that they are using electronic payment platforms en masse.  So, for the CBN to increase the Bank Verification Number [BVN] enrolment, the federal and state governments have a good opportunity to identify eligible Nigerians for social benefit, and the payment should be routed to these Nigerians through electronic platforms. Other Nigerians who also qualified but are not enrolled should be captured as a prerequisite to access the social stimulus. This would have achieved two clear objectives. The social benefit disbursement would be transparent and can be traced. More Nigerians would have been enrolled onto the BVN platform and cases of impersonation or cloning eradicated.

Besides, biometric enrolment would suite the unbanked segment that cannot read or write. They would only require fingerprints and pictures. The BVN will increase access to loans.  It will help credit providers to reduce situations of defaulters who go from one bank to another to get a fresh loan without the latter bank knowing their credit history. This will assist the CBN to achieve its objective of linking more than 100 million accounts by 2025. It is also an opportunity for financial inclusion growth.

However, as more Nigerians understand that the social benefit payment, food distribution and agriculture grants are tied to BVN enrolment there will be willingness and openness to enrol and the figures will increase. Already due to the COVID-19, media reports have suggested that agent banking activities have also been impacted in significant ways. Many Nigerians have adopted agent banking. The reason is clear. It has a human face: You and I trust the mom and pop shops in our street corners. You can strike an easy conversation with an agent. It is biology. Agents are humans. The pressure for cash is still on the rise. In a similar vein, the CBN can increase the number of BVN enrolments via the agent banking by empowering the army of agents to open an account and enrol customers in addition to accepting bills payment at agent locations.

Many Nigerians have adopted agent banking. The reason is clear. It has a human face: You and I trust the mom and pop shops in our street corners. You can strike an easy conversation with an agent.

According to the Deputy Director, Payment System Management of the CBN, Musa Jimoh, who mentioned at a media function last year that the apex bank is committed to increasing the number of BVN enrolments, these are some of the unusual ways the CBN can achieve its objectives. Another unusual way, which has been pushed out before and which deserves reechoing, is to collaborate with the telecoms, fintech and other stakeholders in order to attract about 150 million Nigerians into the financial system and its numerous offerings. This method guarantees success for the CBN.

However, information gleaned from Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) indicated that about 40 million active bank accounts are already linked to the BVN.  Good job. Though, it is not enough. The regulator can achieve more. But it is encouraging that the CBN is thinking in this direction already when it launched the BVN Premium and BVN Lite last year. Bank customers under the premium tier are to supply 18 basic requirements for a complete BVN enrolment while customers in the lite level require minimal documentation.

The BVN is CBN’s initiative. It is still the best-centralised verification system in Nigeria’s data harmonization history. The unique identification number uses biometric technology to register customers. It acts as a universal identity enabling easy identification across the financial services industry. The exercise has been on since 2014. Some millions of bank accounts are still not linked to the BVN. What this means is that interoperability in the banking sector will remain a dream.

This is why the bank still requires you to fill forms, provide utility bills, identification means each time you need to open another account. With the BVN, the CBN has a database of bank customers. The database ensures that banks and individuals are protected from fraud as suspicious transactions can easily be identified and reported. But the inability to link all bank accounts means that these fraud incidences go unchecked. Data harmonization is a continuous process because banks and other financial institutions have to open new accounts daily.

Populationpyramid.net suggested that Nigeria’s population would hit 233 million by 2025. This implies that with technological advancement, more than 150 million Nigerians would have bank accounts. The World Bank report also attests that over 40 million Nigerians who do not visit the ATMs or carry out online transactions and e-commerce will be financially included with the BVN enrolment. COVID-19 has provided an opportunity to increase the number of BVN enrolment. CBN should seize this opportunity.

*Olaegbe wrote from psalmsonolaegbe@gmail.com

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ASUU in a May Day release issued in Ibadan by the Chairman, University of Ibadan chapter, Prof. Ayo Akinwole, entitled, “This Mountain Shall be Removed”, said it remained committed to the reasons for its current strike which are the revitalisation of public universities through adequate funding, renegotiation of her agreements with government, full implementation of outstanding agreements and payment of academic earned allowances from 2012 till date, as well as ensuring that visitation panels were constituted to visit the universities.

It said it was not on strike because of IPPIS but because of the lamentable infrastructure, unfulfilled agreements and demeaning welfare system of Nigerian intellectual community.

President Muhammadu Buhari had directed that all lecturers being owed February and March salaries be paid.

However, ASUU stated that the office of the AGF disregarded the order of the President Buhari  to pay all striking lecturers by April 24, 2020, by trying to work with the IPPIS officers in order to allegedly obtain fraudulent kickbacks and railroad members into the illegal platform.

Akinwole disclosed that lecturers in public universities had always been paid through Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, from Abuja, adding that the details of payment of lecturers were with the federal government.

According to him, demanding for BVN for payment was an orchestrated fraudulent path which the office of the Accountant General was allegedly noted for.

The release read in part, “Section 1.6 of the CBN Regulatory Framework for BVN shows clearly those who are entitled to request for BVN and defines the procedure for obtaining it. Such eligible entities may have been access to BVN after obtaining a valid court order and subject to approval of the CBN. The Accountant General of the Federation is neither eligible nor has he obtained a valid court order or approval from the CBN. This is another case of illegality.

“A BVN is very private instrument and should not be put in public space. It can easily be used for fraudulent activities. Staff emails and phone numbers are regularly sold to private organisations by government agencies. To entrust one’s BVN to them will amount to committing suicide. Besides, government has the resources to verify financial information of staff from banks without requiring individuals to submit their BVNs to questionable sources.”

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