- Lawmakers Promise Improved Budgetary Allocation to NiDCOM
- Commends Dabiri-Erewa for her impactful leadership over the past seven years
- Dabiri-Erewa also disclosed that the Edo State Government would host the State Diaspora Focal Point Officers’ Meeting on April 12 and 13, 2026
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Chinedu Tochukwu Chikere, has assured that the National Assembly will work towards improving budgetary allocation to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) in the next fiscal year.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Chikere gave the assurance during an oversight visit by members of the committee to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, at NiDCOM’s office in Abuja.
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During the visit, the lawmaker commended Dabiri-Erewa for what he described as her impactful leadership over the past seven years, noting that the commission had continued to deliver on its mandate despite operating with limited resources.
He stressed the need for increased funding and the provision of a befitting Diaspora Plaza to enhance the commission’s capacity to engage Nigerians living abroad.
According to him, effective diaspora engagement requires regular interaction with Nigerians outside the country.
“You cannot head diaspora affairs and be in Nigeria alone. You need to travel outside to engage with them,” he said.
Chikere added that the commission had demonstrated commitment and energy in connecting with Nigerians abroad and therefore deserved stronger institutional support.
Responding, Dabiri-Erewa expressed appreciation to the committee for its support and reiterated the need for improved financial backing to enable the commission to fully deliver on its mandate.
She highlighted several ongoing and upcoming initiatives of the commission, including the review of the National Diaspora Policy in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Other programmes include the National Diaspora Day scheduled for July 25, which will focus on Nigeria’s healthcare system, as well as the Diaspora Merit Awards and improvements to the Diaspora Data Mapping Portal.
Dabiri-Erewa also disclosed that the Edo State Government would host the State Diaspora Focal Point Officers’ Meeting on April 12 and 13, 2026, while the Global Nigerian Diaspora Investment and Innovation Summit is expected to hold in August in Toronto, Canada.
She further appealed to the committee to ensure that the Ministry of Labour strengthens regulations to curb the activities of fraudulent agents issuing fake work visa offers to Nigerians seeking employment abroad.
Members of the committee also inspected NiDCOM’s office facilities at the Federal Secretariat Complex and its annex building in Garki, Abuja, during the oversight visit.
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