Re: Omoragbon’s Call for Review of Diaspora Health Impact Initiative 2026: NiDCOM Describes Allegations as Misplaced
Oru Leonard
Barely 48 hours after the unveiling of the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative (DHII) 2026 to commemorate this year’s National Diaspora Day, concerns have been raised by Pastor Peters Omoragbon over what he described as the “exclusion” of certain health professional groups.
Responding to the claims, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) described the allegations as unnecessary and unfounded, stressing that the initiative is designed to be inclusive and open to all qualified Nigerian healthcare practitioners in the diaspora.
According to NiDCOM, DHII 2026 is the first coordinated global medical outreach of its kind, bringing together Nigerian doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals based abroad to provide medical interventions across the country’s six geo-political zones.
The Commission clarified that participation in the programme is open to all Nigerian diaspora health practitioners worldwide who are willing to contribute their expertise toward strengthening the nation’s healthcare system.
The theme of DHII 2026, “Harnessing Global Diaspora Medical Expertise to Strengthen Local Health Systems for National Development,” reflects its core objective of leveraging the knowledge, specialist skills, and professional networks of Nigerians abroad to support sustainable national development. The initiative is scheduled to hold in commemoration of National Diaspora Day on July 25, 2026.
Beyond financial remittances, NIDCOM emphasized that the initiative seeks to enhance intellectual and professional capital through structured knowledge transfer, specialist medical services, and capacity building—contributions it described as invaluable to the growth of Nigeria’s health sector.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and collaboration, urging stakeholders to focus on the broader national interest and the transformative potential of diaspora engagement.
