Nigerian professionals abroad are taking on influential leadership positions across global health, corporate strategy and higher education, highlighting the diaspora's growing presence in international decision-making. Five Nigerians have secured notable appointments in 2026, with three taking leadership roles in health-related organisations, one joining the executive leadership of McDonald's and another becoming dean of a Canadian law school. Global Health Leadership Prof. I

The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has called for stronger collaboration among the government, private sector and Nigerians abroad to unlock the country's economic potential. Dabiri-Erewa made the call on Wednesday in Abuja during the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Chapel Press Week lecture. Represented by NiDCOM's Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocol, Abdul-Rahman Balogun, she ident

Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi has earned a major honour away from the scoreboard—winning the Beyond the Pitch Award at the 2026 Best of Africa Awards for his philanthropy and contributions to football development in Nigeria. The Coventry City forward was recognised for supporting grassroots football, nurturing young talents and creating opportunities for aspiring players back home. The award, presented in partnership with the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), cele

Nigerians planning to pursue higher education in the United Kingdom may face fresh financial uncertainty as the British government prepares to introduce an annual £925 levy on universities for international students from August 2028. The proposed policy, which applies to higher education institutions in England, is designed to fund maintenance grants for disadvantaged British students. However, concerns are emerging over its potential implications for international student re

Nigeria recorded a historic increase in diaspora remittances in the second quarter of 2026, with funds sent home through International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) reaching $1.57bn, according to figures from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The amount represents a 33 per cent increase from the $1.18bn recorded in the same period of 2025, surpassing the previous quarterly high of approximately $1.47bn recorded in the third quarter of 2024. Data from the CBN’s second-quar

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has praised Nigerians making significant contributions to international organisations, healthcare, business and academia, describing their achievements as a reflection of the country's human capital and professional excellence. In a statement issued on Monday, October 26, 2026, the commission's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the growing presence of Nigerians in influential global positions highlight

The All Progressives Congress has unveiled plans to enlist Nigerians living abroad in its campaign for President Bola Tinubu's re-election in 2027, with a proposed digital initiative designed to promote the administration's policies and achievements among voters at home. The party's Presidential Campaign Council announced the strategy on Wednesday during the activation of its Diaspora Mobilisation Directorate in Abuja. The initiative will combine international political netwo

Nigerian-born political scientist Mojubaolu Okome has been appointed to the Fulbright U.S. Student Programme National Screening Committee, where she will help evaluate applications from American students seeking international academic opportunities. Okome, a professor of Political Science at Brooklyn College, part of the City University of New York (CUNY), will serve on the committee responsible for the Africa, West/Central 2 region. The programme provides opportunities for A

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has highlighted the importance of remittances and investments from Nigerians living abroad, with monthly inflows approaching $1 billion, following the recent controversy surrounding Peter Obi’s call for diaspora Nigerians to reconsider sending money to relatives at home. In a statement issued in Abuja on October 20, 2026, the commission praised Nigerians abroad for their continued financial support and investments, describing thei

The Labour Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) have criticised Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his appeal to Nigerians living abroad to reconsider sending money to relatives at home ahead of the 2027 general elections. The parties warned that such a move could worsen the financial difficulties of families who depend on overseas support for essential expenses, including food, healthcare, education

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has withdrawn official recognition of its chapters outside Nigeria following a court ruling that bars Nigerian political parties from establishing or supervising branches in foreign countries. The party announced the decision on Sunday through its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, who said the move was in compliance with a judgment delivered by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama. The ruling, delivered by Justice

Nigerian nationals accounted for the largest number of identified human trafficking victims in Ghana, according to the United States Department of State's 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report. The report identified 896 Nigerians among 2,331 trafficking victims recorded by Ghanaian authorities in 2025, exceeding the 862 Ghanaian nationals identified during the same period. Other foreign nationals identified as victims came from countries including Benin, Niger, Senegal, Côte d’I

President Bola Tinubu has commended the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, for her efforts to engage Nigerians living abroad in the country's development. Tinubu gave the commendation on Sunday, October 11, while celebrating Dabiri-Erewa on her birthday. He acknowledged her contributions to public service, social justice and the protection of Nigerians living outside the country. The president highlighted

The United States government has proposed a new fee of $70,000 for international students who want to work in the country after completing their studies. The proposal, announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), would affect students on F-1 visas who want to take part in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme. OPT allows eligible international students to work temporarily in jobs related to their course of study after graduation. Under the proposed rule,

Nigerians living and working outside the country may now have a new way to build retirement savings through Nigeria’s Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), following a fresh initiative by the National Pension Commission (PenCom). The commission said its new approach is designed to make the pension system more accessible to Nigerians whose employment situations do not fit the traditional employer-employee model. PenCom Director-General, Omolola Oloworaran, disclosed this while sp

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has initiated legal proceedings to revoke the citizenship of 40 naturalised Americans, including two Nigerians, over alleged fraud, concealment of information and other serious offences. The U.S. Department of Justice said the denaturalisation cases were filed across federal courts between August 21 and October 2, describing them as the largest number of such complaints filed within a single period during the Trump administrat

Nigerians living in Canada may soon be able to take the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) without returning to Nigeria, following plans by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to establish an examination centre in Ottawa. JAMB announced that efforts were underway to set up the proposed centre, with operations expected to begin in 2027. The board said the initiative is designed to provide greater access to the UTME for eligible Nigerian candidate

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has praised Nigeria’s influence on global culture, describing Nigerians in New York as an important part of the city’s identity and success. Mamdani made the remarks during Nigeria’s 66th Independence Day Carnival in New York, which brought together Nigerian diplomats, community representatives and members of the Nigerian community to mark the country’s independence anniversary. The mayor, who was born in Kampala, Uganda, received an enthusi

Tanzania has eased its visa process for Nigerian travellers by removing Nigeria from its Referred Visa Category, allowing applicants to use the country’s regular visa application procedures. The previous arrangement required Nigerian nationals to obtain approval from the Office of the Commissioner General of Immigration before travelling to Tanzania. Applicants were also advised to submit their requests at least two months before their planned travel dates. With the new arran

Mauritania’s Coast Guard has rescued 260 migrants from two boats after they spent about a week stranded at sea along the country’s Atlantic coastline. The rescue operation took place on Sunday after the vessels were located near Nouakchott, the Mauritanian capital. According to the Coast Guard, the passengers had endured severe difficulties during the journey after their food supplies ran low and the boats experienced fuel and navigation problems. The migrants had reportedly