By Mercy Peter
The House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs has assured the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) of improved budgetary allocation in the coming fiscal year to strengthen its capacity to effectively engage Nigerians living abroad.
Chairman of the committee, Chinedu Tochukwu Chikere, gave the assurance on Thursday during an oversight visit by members of the committee to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Chikere said the committee would make the necessary inputs to ensure that the commission receives improved and appropriate funding in the next budget cycle to enable it discharge its mandate more effectively.
The lawmaker commended Dabiri-Erewa for what he described as her impactful leadership over the past seven years despite limited resources available to the commission.
He stressed that the nature of diaspora engagement requires significant resources, including international travel and diplomatic outreach, to maintain meaningful connections with Nigerians living abroad.
“You cannot head diaspora affairs and remain within Nigeria alone. There is the need to travel and engage Nigerians in different countries,” Chikere said, adding that the commission has demonstrated commitment and energy in connecting with Nigerians across the globe.
According to him, increased funding as well as the provision of a befitting Diaspora Plaza would further enhance the commission’s effectiveness and institutional capacity.
Dabiri-Erewa expressed appreciation to the committee for its continued support and reiterated the need for stronger financial backing to enable the commission fully deliver on its statutory responsibilities.
She highlighted several ongoing and upcoming initiatives of the commission aimed at strengthening diaspora engagement and investment.
Among them is the ongoing review of the National Diaspora Policy in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which she said is designed to better align Nigeria’s diaspora engagement strategies with global best practices.
The NiDCOM boss also disclosed that the 2026 National Diaspora Day scheduled for July 25 would focus on Nigeria’s healthcare system and the role of diaspora professionals in supporting the sector.
Other initiatives outlined include the Diaspora Merit Awards, the improved Diaspora Data Mapping Portal, and a meeting of State Diaspora Focal Point Officers scheduled to be hosted by the Edo State Government on April 12 and 13, 2026.
Dabiri-Erewa further revealed that the Global Nigerian Diaspora Investment and Innovation Summit is scheduled to hold in August in Toronto, Canada, bringing together Nigerian professionals, investors and entrepreneurs from across the world to explore opportunities for investment and innovation in Nigeria.
She also appealed to the committee to ensure that the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment strengthens enforcement of regulations against fraudulent recruitment agents who issue deceptive work visa offers to unsuspecting Nigerians seeking employment abroad.
According to her, stricter regulatory oversight is necessary to curb the growing menace of illegal recruitment practices that often expose Nigerians to exploitation and human trafficking abroad.
