Diaspora Remittances, Foreign Policy Influence, and Socioeconomic Development in Enugu State

Nigeria consistently ranks among the top remittance-receiving countries globally, with overseas Nigerians transferring billions of dollars annually to support households and communities across the country. Enugu State, with a sizeable diaspora population concentrated in the United States, the United Kingdom, and various European nations, represents a compelling case for examining the intersection of diaspora engagement, foreign policy, and local socioeconomic development. This study explores how diaspora remittances and organized diaspora associations influence developmental outcomes in Enugu State, while also assessing how these dynamics shape Nigeria's foreign policy interests in diaspora-host countries. A mixed-methods approach is adopted, combining household survey data from 200 remittance-receiving families in Enugu metropolitan area with interviews of key stakeholders from the Enugu State Diaspora Commission and Nigerian diplomatic missions abroad. Transnationalism theory and the three-way win framework of diaspora development constitute the analytical basis of this research. The findings reveal that remittances primarily fund education, housing, and healthcare expenditures rather than productive investment, limiting their broader developmental multiplier effects. Organized diaspora associations, however, demonstrate stronger capacity to channel resources into collective infrastructure and educational scholarship projects. The research also identifies a growing informal diplomacy function performed by diaspora organizations in advocating for favorable bilateral policies between Nigeria and diaspora-host nations. Policy recommendations include structured diaspora bonds, matched investment schemes, and enhanced diplomatic protection mechanisms for Nigerians abroad. Keywords: diaspora remittances, transnationalism, foreign policy, Enugu State, socioeconomic development