Reps Committee Pledges Better Funding for Nigerians in Diaspora Commission
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
Members of the House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs have pledged to push for improved funding for the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) in the next federal budget cycle.
The assurance was given during an oversight visit by the committee, led by its chairman, Chinedu Tochukwu Chikere, to the headquarters of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission in Abuja. The lawmakers met with the commission’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, to review the agency’s activities and operational needs.
Chikere commended Dabiri-Erewa’s leadership, noting that the commission had achieved significant results over the past seven years despite operating with limited resources. He stressed that diaspora engagement requires regular interaction with Nigerians living abroad and said the agency needed stronger financial backing to perform its responsibilities effectively.
According to him, the committee would work to ensure that adequate budgetary provisions are made to strengthen the commission’s capacity. He also highlighted the need for a dedicated Diaspora Plaza that would serve as a more suitable operational base for the agency.
In her remarks, Dabiri-Erewa expressed appreciation for the committee’s continued support and reiterated that increased funding would help NiDCOM expand its programmes and better serve Nigerians abroad.
She outlined several ongoing and upcoming initiatives by the commission, including the review of the National Diaspora Policy in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration. She also announced plans for the 2026 National Diaspora Day scheduled for July 25, which will focus on strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Other programmes highlighted include the Diaspora Merit Awards, improvements to the Diaspora Data Mapping Portal, and a meeting of State Diaspora Focal Point Officers to be hosted by the Edo State Government on April 12 and 13. Dabiri-Erewa also confirmed that the Global Nigerian Diaspora Investment and Innovation Summit will hold in August in Toronto, Canada.
The NiDCOM boss further urged the committee to push for stricter enforcement by the Federal Ministry of Labour against fraudulent agents who issue deceptive foreign job and visa offers to unsuspecting Nigerians seeking opportunities abroad.
During the visit, the lawmakers inspected the commission’s offices and surrounding facilities at the Federal Secretariat Complex as well as an annex building located in Garki, Abuja.
Comments