NiDCOM Boss Urges Muslim Diaspora Communities to Strengthen Unity, Cooperation
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has called on Muslim diaspora communities across the world to strengthen unity and deepen cooperation to tackle common challenges and support development.
Dabiri-Erewa made the call while representing Nigeria at the First Muslim Diaspora Forum in Ankara, Türkiye, where she joined government officials, policymakers and diaspora representatives from more than 47 countries.
Speaking on the theme, “From Roots to Routes,” she said diaspora engagement should extend beyond financial remittances to include the exchange of skills and knowledge, investment, innovation, humanitarian assistance and cultural cooperation.
She identified misinformation, discrimination and hate speech as issues that require coordinated responses from diaspora communities. According to her, stronger communication networks and joint humanitarian efforts can help protect vulnerable migrants and promote more positive narratives about diaspora communities.
Dabiri-Erewa also highlighted NiDCOM’s efforts to keep Nigerians abroad informed, respond to emerging challenges and support citizens facing difficult circumstances in foreign countries.
She maintained that migration should not weaken the relationship between people living abroad and their countries of origin, stressing the importance of creating opportunities for members of the diaspora to continue contributing to national development.
The NiDCOM chief said Nigeria would continue to strengthen partnerships with other countries and diaspora institutions while making greater use of the skills, expertise, investments, cultural influence and international networks of Nigerians living abroad.
The forum also provided an opportunity for Dabiri-Erewa to hold bilateral discussions with representatives from Azerbaijan, Sudan and Türkiye on diaspora affairs and possible areas of collaboration.
One of the meetings involved Türkiye’s Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities, where discussions centred on implementing the existing Memorandum of Understanding between NiDCOM and the Turkish agency.
Both sides explored practical programmes focused on diaspora engagement, knowledge sharing, youth development and broader bilateral cooperation.
The forum concluded with a communique calling for continued collaboration and efforts to build on the outcomes of the gathering.
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