The Diaspora and Sociopolitical Mobilisations in Nigeria

Nigeria has a significant body of diasporic nationals. While studies abound on the economic and developmental roles of the diaspora, there is a paucity of research on the sociopolitical mobilisation interfaces of diasporas with their countries of origin. This article contributes to an understanding of the complexities and multiplicities of the roles of the diaspora in their countries of origin, using the case of Nigeria. It also provides alternative interpretations of what forced migration and fake news connote, through the real experiences of diasporic Nigerians. A qualitative study was conducted among sixteen diasporic Nigerians, interviewed in 2021–2022, in the United States of America (USA), Namibia, Australia, South Africa, United Kingdom (UK), Botswana and Republic of Ireland. Primary data was triangulated with autoethnography and secondary data to sufficiently understand the reasons for migration, the constructs of forced migration, roles in national development, the sharing of fake news and sociopolitical mobilisations and protests.