The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and the Nigerian Mission in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration aimed at strengthening diaspora engagement, improving consular services, and promoting the positive contributions of Nigerians living in Saudi Arabia.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, gave the assurance while receiving the Nigerian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Yakubu N. Gambo, alongside the Consul General in Jeddah, Ambassador Muazam I.J. Nayaya, during a courtesy visit to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Dabiri-Erewa pledged the Commission’s continued partnership with the Nigerian Mission to enhance engagement with Nigerians in Saudi Arabia and project the achievements of the country’s citizens resident in the Kingdom.
Speaking during the visit, Ambassador Gambo said diaspora affairs had been placed at the centre of his mission’s activities in line with Nigeria’s foreign policy, noting that the country’s “Four Ds” framework recognises the strategic importance of the diaspora.
He explained that contrary to widespread perception, Saudi Arabia is home to a large number of accomplished Nigerian professionals, including doctors, engineers, teachers, artisans and traders, as well as families that have lived in the Kingdom for decades.
According to him, the Embassy has encouraged the various Nigerian associations in Saudi Arabia to unite under a single umbrella body to promote cohesion and enable the Mission to engage them more effectively on issues affecting the community.
The Ambassador also highlighted challenges involving Nigerians in prisons and detention centres, including those who remain stranded after completing jail terms due to unpaid fines.
In his remarks, the Consul General in Jeddah, Ambassador Muazam Nayaya, described the provision of consular services as one of the Mission’s greatest challenges, disclosing that officials issue dozens of Emergency Travel Certificates (ETCs) daily to Nigerians in detention facilities.
He commended NiDCOM for its interventions in several cases involving Nigerians in Saudi Arabia, particularly the case of Nigerian national Suleiman Alufa.
Responding, Dabiri-Erewa praised both diplomats for their proactive engagement with Nigerians in Saudi Arabia and described the initiative to unify Nigerian associations as a commendable step towards building a stronger and more organised diaspora community.
She stressed that many Nigerians in Saudi Arabia are making remarkable contributions in various professional fields and called for greater efforts to celebrate their achievements.
“We only hear about the bad cases; we don’t hear about Nigerians excelling in Saudi Arabia. Now is the time to start celebrating them,” she said.
The NiDCOM boss also urged Nigerians living in Saudi Arabia to register on the Commission’s Diaspora Data Mapping Portal to enhance planning, policy formulation and engagement, while calling for increased support for Nigerian missions handling heavy consular responsibilities.
Both NiDCOM and the Nigerian Mission reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting the welfare of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia and strengthening diaspora participation in Nigeria’s national development.
