The House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs has assured the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) of improved and appropriate budgetary allocation in the coming fiscal year to strengthen its operations and engagement with Nigerians abroad.
Chairman of the committee, Chinedu Tochukwu Chikere, gave the assurance when he led members of the committee on an oversight visit to the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, at the Commission’s office in Abuja.
Chikere commended Dabiri-Erewa for what he described as impactful leadership over the past seven years despite limited resources. He noted that increased funding and the provision of a befitting Diaspora Plaza would further enhance the Commission’s effectiveness.
According to him, effective diaspora engagement requires international outreach, noting that officials responsible for diaspora affairs must travel abroad regularly to interact with Nigerians living outside the country.
He added that the Commission has demonstrated commitment and energy in engaging Nigerians in the diaspora and therefore requires greater support to enable its management and staff perform optimally.
In her remarks, Dabiri-Erewa appreciated the committee for its continued support and reiterated the need for stronger financial backing to enable NiDCOM fully deliver on its mandate.
She highlighted several ongoing and upcoming initiatives of the Commission, including the review of the National Diaspora Policy in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). She also announced that the National Diaspora Day scheduled for July 25 will focus on strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Other initiatives included the Diaspora Merit Awards, the improved Diaspora Data Mapping Portal, and the State Diaspora Focal Point Officers’ Meeting to be hosted by the Edo State Government on April 12 and 13, 2026.
Dabiri-Erewa further disclosed that the Global Nigerian Diaspora Investment and Innovation Summit will hold in August in Toronto, Canada, bringing together Nigerians abroad to explore investment and innovation opportunities.
She also urged the committee to ensure that the Ministry of Labour enforces stricter regulations to curb the activities of fraudulent agents issuing deceptive work visa offers to unsuspecting Nigerians seeking employment abroad.
The committee members also inspected NiDCOM’s office facilities and surrounding infrastructure within the Federal Secretariat Complex and its annex building in Garki, Abuja, as part of the oversight visit.
