NASS Commends NiDCOM, Pledges Increased Budgetary Support
By Raymond Enoch
The Joint National Assembly (NASS) Committee on Diaspora Affairs has lauded the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) for its remarkable performance, despite operating under severe resource constraints.
In a statement issued by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Publica Relations, and Protocols at NiDCOM, the Committee pledged to advocate for increased funding and the establishment of a Diaspora Plaza for the Commission. These key commitments emerged during the 2024 Budget Performance Review and the 2025 Budget Proposal presentation by Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, in Abuja.
Presiding over the joint session, Senator Victor Umeh, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora Affairs and NGOs, highlighted the budgetary gaps between NiDCOM’s 2024 allocations and its proposed 2025 funding. He underscored the importance of increased financial and infrastructural support for the Commission, noting its critical contributions to Nigeria’s national development.
Senator Umeh also commended Hon. Dabiri-Erewa’s prudent leadership, which has driven diaspora engagement and boosted remittances and investments in Nigeria, even with limited resources.
Contributing to the discussions, lawmakers including Senators Ezenwa Onyenwuchi, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Onawo Ogoshi, and Hon. Auwalu Abdu Gwalabe, explored issues such as external funding opportunities, diaspora data mapping, and resolving conflicts among Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) chapters globally.
The legislators collectively acknowledged NiDCOM’s underfunding and resolved to advocate for amendments to the Appropriation Bill, pushing for an increase in the Commission’s funding to enable it to fulfill its mandates.
During her presentation, Hon. Dabiri-Erewa detailed the Commission’s 2024 budget performance. She revealed that NiDCOM executed 99% of its ₦263,125,368 million total budget. However, despite an approved capital budget of ₦1,685,630,449 billion, no releases have been made by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.
For 2025, NiDCOM has proposed the following allocations:
₦363,943,894 million for salaries and wages
₦377,098,274 million for overhead costs
₦541,037,512 million for personnel costs
She outlined NiDCOM’s strategic priorities for 2025, including enhanced diaspora engagement, capacity-building initiatives, and infrastructure development to support investment and welfare programs. A key priority is the establishment of a Diaspora Plaza, envisioned as both an operational office for the Commission and a hub for Nigerians
Addressing questions on external funding, Hon. Dabiri-Erewa clarified that NiDCOM relies solely on sponsorships and partnerships from reputable organizations for its major events, as it currently receives no grants or external financial aid. She emphasized the need for accurate diaspora data mapping and disclosed that plans for a physical structure to facilitate real-time data collection are underway.
On the issue of infighting among NIDO chapters, Dabiri-Erewa expressed concerns about its negative impact on diaspora unity. She urged the NASS committees on diaspora affairs to step in and mediate the conflicts.
Hon. Dabiri-Erewa concluded by thanking the Joint Committee members for their unwavering support and assured them of NiDCOM’s dedication to its mandate. She reiterated the Commission’s commitment to fostering strong ties with the Nigerian diaspora and driving national development through increased engagement and collaboration.
