House of Reps Launches NiDRes Platform to Deepen Diaspora Ties

The House of Representatives has unveiled the Nigerians in Diaspora Response (NiDRes) application and website, a new digital initiative designed to enhance communication and collaboration between the Nigerian government and its citizens abroad.

The launch took place at the First Nigerian Stakeholders’ Engagement on Diaspora Governance (NiDSEDiG 2025) in Abuja. Declaring the event open, Speaker Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, represented by Hon. Patrick Umoh, reaffirmed the 10th House’s commitment to improving the welfare of Nigerians overseas. He emphasized that diaspora engagement remains a core national priority, vital to economic growth, diplomacy, and innovation.

Abbas revealed that the House is working on reforms to simplify passport issuance, strengthen consular services, and remove bureaucratic hurdles in accessing government support. “We are building transparent, efficient, and technology-driven systems that respond swiftly to the needs of our citizens abroad,” he said.

Chairman of the House Committee on Diaspora, Hon. Tochukwu Okere, described NiDRes as a major milestone in bridging policy gaps through technology. The platform, he explained, will provide real-time communication channels, emergency helpdesk services, verified user profiles, and directories for Nigerian embassies worldwide.

The Chairman/CEO of NIDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, praised the initiative, noting that it marks a breakthrough in diaspora governance. She added that NIDCOM’s recently opened data portal will further support diaspora participation in future electoral processes.

The engagement also featured contributions from policymakers, civil society representatives, and diaspora leaders, all calling for deeper collaboration to make diaspora inclusion central to national development.