NiDCOM Chairman Highlights Women’s Leadership, Diaspora Engagement at Beijing+30 Summit in Abuja

The Chairman and CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, participated in the Beijing+30 Women’s Summit, calling for stronger female representation in leadership and deeper engagement with the Nigerian diaspora.

The summit, held as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, was organized by the Amandla Institute for Policy and Leadership Advancement in collaboration with the African Women Leaders Network and Womanifesto. It brought together policymakers, women leaders, and activists to reflect on three decades of progress since the 1995 UN Beijing Conference on Women.

Under the theme “Holding the Line for Women’s Rights: Looking Back and Marching Forward,” discussions explored Nigeria’s strides in gender equality, political participation for women, and persistent challenges, including gender-based violence and underrepresentation in decision-making spaces.

Dr. Dabiri-Erewa, a key panelist, urged political parties to intentionally create spaces for women in governance and leadership roles. “Political parties have to be intentional about women. We need to support one another,” she stressed, highlighting the need for systemic change.

Beyond political representation, the summit examined strategies for empowering women in the diaspora, emphasizing mentorship, advocacy, and leadership development as critical tools for strengthening Nigeria’s global network of female leaders.

The NiDCOM Chair highlighted the diaspora’s role in advancing gender equality and supporting domestic initiatives aimed at ending gender-based violence. She encouraged Nigerian women abroad to use their expertise, influence, and resources to mentor younger generations back home.

Dr. Dabiri-Erewa also reaffirmed NiDCOM’s commitment to diaspora engagement, noting that collaboration between local and international stakeholders is essential to achieving sustainable progress in women’s empowerment and community development.

The summit concluded with a call for actionable policies, stronger partnerships, and continued advocacy to ensure that women, both in Nigeria and across the diaspora, have access to leadership opportunities and platforms to drive social change.