Chairman/CEO of Nigerian Diaspora Commission (NiDCom), Hon. Anime Dabiri-Erewa on Monday described Nigerians in Diaspora as catalyst for holistic growth for the country beyond the $21 billion remittance.
Hon. Dabiri-Erewa who stated this in Abuja during the first Nigerian Stakeholders Engagement on Diaspora Governance (NiDSEDiG 2025) and launch of NiDRes Application/website, organised by House Committee on Diaspora, chaired by Hon. Tochukwu Okere, unveiled plans to review the country’s diaspora policy in 2026.
She explained that the stakeholders engagement provides the platform for regular conversations between the Legislature and Executive arms of government to deepen diaspora engagement.
‘What we do is still try our only way to communicate but with this app being put together by the House which they will give us to run it will be easier to deal with issues. You know every state now has a diaspora focal person. Some States now have at the Local Government level so maybe an issue is going to a local government level we take it there directly. So we thank the House Committee Chairman and members for putting this together and the idea is that the diaspora can no longer be ignored.
‘So we want to ensure that the diaspora beyond remittances are a catalyst for holistic growth in Nigeria. So this is part of why we’re doing that and we’re talking about 17 million people.
‘We have opened a data portal which will make diaspora voting easier. A data portal register on the portal we know where you are, what you’re doing. A diaspora is somebody who is legally resident in any country, you pay your tax, you have an address. so even that will be defined.
‘So we look up to the National Assembly to work on the diaspora voting and it’s in the hands of the National Assembly who will consider the pros and cons and take a decision but in the meantime let’s engage the diaspora; let’s continue to ensure that they are part of the programs and progress of Nigeria because other countries have done it Nigeria is not an exception,’ she noted.
Honestly. Dabiri-Erewa who expressed excitement over the outcomes of various engagements with Nigerians in Diaspora, harped on the need to put the issue of diaspora on the front burner, saying: ‘as we have this conversation, let’s take it very, very seriously, because the diaspora cannot be ignored. I just returned this morning from two very important engagements in the UK. All our Doctors in the UK gathered together to talk about how they will give back to Nigeria for next year, they’re all going to be here to do various things. ‘Why can’t our Doctors build medical centers of excellence in the country if they are the best in the world? Also, another function of agritourism by Nigerians saying we want to come and invest. They were looking at the area of agritourism. So there’s so much we can do with our diaspora. We are the best in the world, wherever we go as Nigerians. We have to celebrate that, we have to make use of that, and we have to deepen that, and we have to encourage policies that will make that happen.’
Speaking earlier, Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora, Hon. Tochukwu Okere explained that the initiative was aimed at ‘bringing together policies, institutions, and technology to create a unified approach to diaspora governance. And here is what we hope to achieve. Aligning laws, government actions, and state-level efforts for better coordination on diaspora matters. Easier access to consular help, emergency aid, and welfare services for Nigeria’s living abroad. Using reliable, privacy-protected data to guide planning and protection and programs.
‘Stronger ways to attract investment, share skills, foster innovation, and connect small businesses. Improved rules for managing migration, fighting trafficking, and providing legal safeguards. Reliable ways for government to manage migration, fighting trafficking, and supporting local governments, diaspora groups, and partners to communicate and collaborate.
‘Secondly, to launch the Nigerians in Diaspora Response App web, named NiDRes. NiDRes is our new tool to make it simpler for the government to connect and support. NiDRes is our new tool to make it simpler for the government to connect and support. NiDRes is our new tool to make it simpler for the government to connect and support.’
He explained that the initiative was borne out of our several visits and townhall meetings held with several parts of other countries, from the U.S. to the China, to the Europe, to Asia.
‘Secondly, we’re also launching a very robust mobile app that will help us in communication especially, because we know that most people have a lot of inquiries, they have a lot of reports, suggestions, ideas they want to make, but the channel has been a major problem.’
While noting that the mobile application is 98% ready, Hon. Okere assured that Nigerians in Diaspora can access the platform after the launch, adding that: ‘It’s going to be highly sustainable. We’ve been on this thing for the past three or four months, and we’re sure it’s ready to take off. We’ve done a lot of testing, and we’re sure that it’s going to address a lot of issues that we have.’
He however noted that: ‘Voting will not be done through the app, you understand. The app is to solve our communication issues, you understand.
‘Diaspora voting is something that we’re working on. We’re on the first stage now, and very soon we’re going to address the public hearing. It’s on the constitutional review stage. We’ve done the First Reading, we’ve done the Second Reading, and I’m sure in the next few days we’ll be doing the public hearing on this diaspora voting. And that’s almost the end of the stages. From there we’ll now go to the Presidency. We are very convinced that at the rate we are going, by before the end of the first quarter of 2026, we should have it out with the support of those in diaspora.’
While delivering his keynote address, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen represented by Hon. Patrick Umoh explained that the 10th House of Representatives considers Diaspora engagement as a national priority, one that must translate into structured policies that strengthen our democracy and national unity.
‘The 10th House of Representatives maintains a strong and cooperative relationship with the Executive, guided by a shared commitment to advancing policies and initiatives that strengthen Diaspora engagement and enhance the welfare of Nigerians abroad. The House of Representatives recognises the vital and irreplaceable role Nigerians abroad play in building the nation’s image and sustaining its economy.
‘Their extensive knowledge, professional experience, and global networks have continued to project Nigeria as a country of excellence, creativity, and enterprise. Beyond remittances, their involvement in innovation, trade, diplomacy, and humanitarian causes has reinforced the country’s reputation as a contributor to global development.
‘Their hard work and achievements remain powerful reminders that wherever a Nigerian succeeds, the image of the nation grows stronger. The 10th House of Representatives remains committed to promoting a stronger, well-coordinated, and more structured relationship with the Nigerian Diaspora community.
‘These Citizens have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to national development through their remittances, philanthropy, and knowledge transfer. Their contributions in education, health, technology, and entrepreneurship have become integral to Nigeria’s economic and social advancement. The House therefore views diaspora engagement not as a ceremonial connection, but as a vital element of inclusion, proper governance, and sustainable growth for the country’s future.
‘Legislative efforts are currently being reinforced to simplify consular immigration and documentation procedures to ensure that Nigerians living overseas have easier and faster access to the support and services they require from government missions. This includes improvements in passport processing from government missions, emergency consular responses, and digital access to official services.
‘The House seeks to remove bureaucratic bottlenecks that often frustrate Nigerians abroad, replacing them with systems that reflect transparency, efficiency, and responsiveness in line with modern public service standards,’ he assured.