NiDCOM, IOM, EU Lead Strategic Review of Nigeria’s Diaspora Policy
Oru Leonard
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the European Union, has convened a high-level stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja to review and strengthen the implementation of Nigeria’s National Diaspora Policy 2021.
The meeting, held under the framework of the Standing Committee on Diaspora Matters, brought together key government officials, development partners, and civil society actors to assess progress, identify gaps, and chart a more structured and results-driven approach to diaspora engagement.
Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the time had come to move beyond rhetoric and focus on measurable outcomes, describing Nigerians in the diaspora as a vital development partner.
“The diaspora is not just a community abroad, but a force for progress and national development,” she said. “We must deliberately and strategically harness this potential.”
Dabiri-Erewa acknowledged funding challenges but emphasized the need for sustained institutional backing, noting that NiDCOM has established itself as a central coordinating body for diaspora engagement. She also called for stronger legislative frameworks, including diaspora voting, the creation of a Diaspora Investment Trust Fund, and improved funding mechanisms.
She highlighted ongoing initiatives such as the Diaspora Data Portal, National Diaspora Day celebrations, and the forthcoming Nigeria Diaspora Economic Conference in Canada as efforts aimed at deepening engagement.
Representing the IOM Chief of Mission in Nigeria, Ms. Sharon Dimanche, Ms. Ukamaka Anyanechi stressed the importance of coordinated diaspora policies, noting that Nigerians abroad contribute significantly across sectors including healthcare, ICT, academia, and entrepreneurship.
She said the EU-funded Support to Migration Governance Programme is helping to strengthen institutional frameworks, improve coordination, and support the ongoing policy review.
Also speaking, EU Programme Officer Ron Hendrix described the Nigerian diaspora as a major driver of global connectivity and national development, noting that their contributions extend beyond remittances to skills transfer, investments, and international advocacy.
On the legislative side, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs, Senator Aniekan Bassey, represented by Clerk Abubakar Adam, reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to policies that protect Nigerians abroad and maximize diaspora contributions.
Similarly, Chairman of the House Committee on Diaspora, Hon. Tochukwu Okere, represented by Dr. Ademola Adewale Taofeek, emphasized that effective migration governance is key to national development, warning that poorly managed migration can create vulnerabilities.
Contributions also came from the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, where Director of Migrants Affairs, Catherine Imaji Udida, called for more inclusive policies that reflect the realities of Nigerians abroad, including those in irregular or short-term situations.
State-level perspectives were also presented by diaspora focal point officers from Abia, Lagos, and Cross River states, highlighting ongoing subnational efforts to engage Nigerians abroad.
The meeting featured interventions from civil society and non-governmental organisations, reinforcing the need for sustained collaboration.
Participants agreed on the need for stronger coordination, improved data systems, and actionable frameworks to fully harness the vast potential of Nigeria’s diaspora community for national development.
Cover Photo Caption, L-R: CATHERINE IMAJI UDIDA,DIRECTOR, MIGRATION AFFAIRS, REFUGEES COMMISSION, RON HENDRIX,REPRESING THE EU AMBASSADOR, HON. ABIKE DABIRI-EREWA, CHAIRMAN/CEO NiDCOM, MS. UKAMAKA ANYANECHI, REP. CHIEF OF MISSION (IOM), HON. ANNIE ONU, ABIA STATE FOCAL POINT OFFICER AND DR. MARGARET U. INDEED, CROSS RIVER STATE FOCAL POINT OFFICER.
