Federal Ministry of Finance has disclosed that   Nigerians in diaspora have so far remitted a total sum of $10.40 billion back home in the last six months of this year. Last year Nigerians in diaspora sent home a total of $20.77 billion.

A press statement issued by Paul Nwabuikwu, Special Adviser on media  to Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Minister of Finance  stated that the remittances include contributions  to families, friends and communities, medical missions and provision of scholarships

According to the statement, in response to the long-standing desire of the Nigerian diaspora to support economic development in the country, a high level Executive-Legislative team is currently holding a series of interactive sessions with Nigerians in Europe and the United States.

The sessions, packaged by the Debt Management Office, led by its Director-General, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo is headed by the Okonjo-Iweala and includes key members of relevant committees in the National Assembly.

Senator Ahmed Makarfi Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Senator E.  Uzamere, Chairman, Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, Senator Ita Enang, Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Honourable Adeyinka Ajayi, Chairman, House Committee on Aid, Loans and Debt Management are some members of the National Assembly attending the event.

Others are: Famurewa Ajibola Israel, House Committee on Diaspora, Honourable Abdulrahman Terab, House Committee on Finance and Honourable Emmanuel David Ombugadu, House Committee on Appropriation.

The statement  further explained that the meetings which started in London, will continue in New York, Washington DC and Houston between September 2-4, 2014.