Abuja, March 5, 2026:
Hon. Chinedu Tochukwu Chikere, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs, has assured that necessary inputs will be made to ensure improved and appropriate budgetary allocation to Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) in the coming fiscal year.
He gave the assurance when he led members of the committee on an oversight visit to Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa,
Chairman/CEO, NiDCOM, at the Commission’s Office in Abuja.
Chikere commended the NiDCOM Chairman for her impactful leadership over the past seven years despite limited resources, stressing the need for increased funding and the provision of a befitting Diaspora Plaza to enhance the Commission’s effectiveness.
“You cannot head diaspora affairs, and be in Nigeria. You need to travel outside to engage with them”, he said.
Chikere further added that the Commission has shown commitment and energy in engaging Nigerians abroad, hence needs more support to enable the NiDCOM management and staff to function optimally.
In her remarks, Dabiri-Erewa appreciated the Committee’s support and reiterated the need for stronger financial backing to enable NiDCOM fully deliver on its mandate.
She highlighted ongoing and upcoming initiatives, including the review of the National Diaspora Policy in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), National Diaspora Day on July 25, which will focus on the healthcare system, and Diaspora Merit Awards; the improved Diaspora Data Mapping Portal, the State Diaspora Focal Point Officers’ Meeting hosted by the Edo State Government, for April 12 and 13, 2026, and the Global Nigerian Diaspora Investment and Innovation Summit, scheduled for August in Toronto, Canada.
Also, the NiDCOM Boss appealed to the Committee to ensure that the Ministry of Labour enforces stricter regulations to curb the activities of fraudulent agents issuing deceptive work visa offers to unsuspecting Nigerians seeking employment abroad.
The visit also included an inspection of the Commission’s office facilities and surrounding infrastructure within the Federal Secretariat Complex, and the annex building in Garki, Abuja.
E-Signed
Abdur-Rahman Balogun mnipr
Head: Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, Abuja.
