NiDCOM to Collins Nweke: Separate Facts From Sentiments, Reform NIDO
Oru Leonard
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has urged Collins Nweke and other stakeholders in the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) to separate facts from sentiments in the ongoing debate over the organisation’s leadership and structure.
NiDCOM made the position known in a statement signed by its Director, Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, in response to a rejoinder issued by Nweke to the Commission’s September 29, 2026 statement on the status of “NIDO Worldwide.”
The Commission said it had never sought to sideline or erase NIDO, stressing that NiDCOM itself emerged from years of advocacy by credible NIDO leaders and other Nigerian diaspora organisations.
According to the Commission, the then member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, worked with diaspora leaders, including Dr. Sule Yakubu Bassi, Lola Mabogunje, Prof. Manny Aniebulam and the late Ambassador Okuobi, among others, towards the sponsorship and passage of the NiDCOM Bill.
“NiDCOM was itself a product of the struggle and advocacy of credible leaders of NIDO and other Diaspora organisations,” the statement said.
The Commission said it agreed with Nweke’s argument that institutions that were not functioning properly should be reformed rather than abandoned, but maintained that NIDO must first acknowledge its challenges and take concrete steps towards reform.
NiDCOM said it had over the years monitored NIDO elections, mediated disputes, provided platforms for the organisation and repeatedly appealed for unity.
It questioned what it described as NIDO’s failure to sufficiently reform its internal structures, arguing that successful diaspora organisations depend on transparency, clear constitutions and credible leadership selection processes.
NiDCOM Challenges ‘NIDO Worldwide’ Claim.
On the controversy surrounding “NIDO Worldwide,” the Commission said it had requested three documents from individuals presenting themselves as representatives of the organisation.
They include registration documents from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) or equivalent authority, a constitution establishing the office of Chairman of NIDO Worldwide, and a certified report of a global election producing the purported leadership.
NiDCOM said none of the documents had been provided to it.
The Commission also cited what it described as factional disputes within NIDO structures in Europe, Africa and America, while raising concerns about the status of NIDO in some countries.
It said Canada, for instance, has more than 69 Nigerian diaspora organisations working together without a NIDO structure, describing the Canadian model as an example of inclusive diaspora coordination.
NiDCOM maintained that government agencies and Nigerian diplomatic missions should verify claims of NIDO Worldwide leadership before recognising or engaging with individuals or groups making such claims.
On concerns regarding the Governing Board of NiDCOM, the Commission said its composition was the prerogative of the President and was unrelated to the internal crisis within NIDO.
It added that the Commission had continued to operate with presidential approval and oversight by the National Assembly.
NiDCOM Calls for NIDO Reorganisation
The Commission proposed a bottom-up reorganisation of NIDO, beginning with functional and verifiable country chapters, followed by continental structures and ultimately a globally elected body.
It said such a global structure should emerge through a transparent and inclusive electoral process supervised by an independent electoral committee.
NiDCOM also pointed to the success of the 2026 Nigeria Diaspora Economic Conference (NIDEC), held in Toronto, Canada, as evidence of what it described as the benefits of working inclusively with registered diaspora associations and leaders.
The Commission reiterated that its mandate was to engage all Nigerians in the diaspora, regardless of whether they belonged to NIDO, NAPAC, ANPA, MANSAG, NNC, other associations or no association.
“Our allegiance is to the 20 million Nigerians abroad, not to acronyms or titles,” NiDCOM stated.
The Commission called on NIDO leaders and elders to return to dialogue and unity, urging them to focus on resolving the organisation’s longstanding internal divisions.
It also cautioned against dragging NIDO into partisan politics ahead of Nigeria’s forthcoming general elections, stressing that NIDO is a non-political organisation.
