The dream of Nigerians abroad to vote in national elections might be actualised sooner than expected as the Nigerian Senate is poised to consider the second reading of the diaspora voting rights bill later this week.
Opeyemi Bamidele, majority leader of the Nigerian Senate, disclosed this on Monday, saying that the consideration of the bill is an acknowledgement of the contributions of diaspora Nigerians to the growth of the economy.
Nigerians abroad contribute billions of dollars annually to the economy through huge financial remittances. The World Bank pegged the figures at $168.33 billion for the past eight years.
“I’m very much with you in this effort because I see this fight as a generational fight,” Bamidele said, “It’s not just the constitution recognising your right to vote in the diaspora, your children and grandchildren and generations coming after us.”
“It is also about ensuring greater inclusion in our process. We cannot just be so interested in the benefits coming from the Nigeria Diaspora community while also denying what is supposed to be your own constitutional right.”
Lawmakers of the 9th Senate thrashed the diaspora voting bill in March 2022 because the Nigerian law only restricts registration and voting to persons residing in Nigeria.
Also hopes that Nigeria’s diaspora would vote in the 2023 election were dashed when a court in Nigeria dismissed a lawsuit that sought to allow same in February.
But the Senate Majority Leader assured that the bill would be passed this time around.
“We will do our best to make sure that this time around, we achieve your desire in this regard,” he said.
“When you talk about diaspora voting, it is a right; if anybody is granting you that right, it is not as if they are grating you any favour. It is your right.”
Bamidele also spoke on the progress of the bill, revealing that the bill will be read for the second time this week.
“Exactly two Tuesdays ago, we had a first reading of the Diaspora Voting Bill,” the Senator said.
“It passed the first reading and it was scheduled for the second. Definitely, I can assure you as the leader of the Senate, we will be considering the second reading of the bill during this week.”
- Senate Uncovers a $300 Billion Hole in Nigeria’s Oil Accounts - November 6, 2025
- New Bill Imposes 14-Year Jail Term for Lecturers Who Sexually Harass Students - November 6, 2025
- Court Gives Nnamdi Kanu Until 7 November to Open Defence in Terrorism Trial - November 6, 2025