Abuja, Jan. 17, 2025:
The Joint National Assembly Committee on Diaspora Affairs has commended the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) for its outstanding performance, despite its very limited resources.
The Committee, thereafter, vowed to push for increased funding for the Commission and the building of a Diaspora plaza.
These were among the highlights of the 2024 Budget Performance Review and presentation of the 2025 Budget proposal in Abuja by Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, NiDCOM.
Presiding over the joint session, Sen. Victor Umeh, Chairman, Senate Committee on Diaspora Affairs and NGOs, noted the significant difference between NiDCOM’s 2024 budget and its proposed 2025 budget.
He stressed the need for better financial support and provision of needed infrastructure for a Commission whose impact has been felt and is critical to Nigeria’s national development.
Commending the prudent leadership style of Hon. Dabiri-Erewa, Sen. Umeh acknowledged her efforts in boosting diaspora engagement despite provision of embarrassingly low resources, noting the increase in diaspora remittances and investments in the country.
Members of the Joint Committee, including Senators Ezenwa Onyewuchi, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Onawo Ogoshi and Hon. Auwalu Abdu Gwalabe, shared their thoughts on external funding sources, diaspora data mapping, in fighting amongst members of NIDO across continents, among other issues.
The lawmakers unanimously agreed that NiDCOM had been underfunded and resolved to advocate for a revision of the Appropriation Bill to reflect an increase so that the Commission can better be able to meet up with its core mandates.
Presenting NiDCOM’s 2024 budget performance, Dabiri-Erewa said that the Commission managed a total budget of ₦263,125,368 million achieving 99 per cent execution rate. However, despite a capital budget of ₦1,685,630,449 billion, no releases have been made so far from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.
For 2025, Dabiri-Erewa said the proposed budget allocates ₦363,943,894 millions for salaries and wages; ₦377,098,274 millions for overhead costs, and ₦541,037,512 millions for personnel costs.
Dabiri-Erewa also listed the Commission’s strategic plans for 2025, including enhancing diaspora engagement, increasing personnel capacity-building, and developing infrastructure to support investment and welfare programmes.
She reiterated the urgent need for a dedicated Diaspora Plaza, not only to serve as office for the Commission, but as a hub for Nigerians abroad when they visit home.
Responding to inquiries about external funding, the NiDCOM Chairman disclosed that the Commission relies on sponsorships and partnerships from well-meaning organisations for its major events, as it currently receives no external funding or grants.
She equally stressed the importance of diaspora data mapping, expressing hope that the establishment of a physical structure to facilitate accurate and real-time data collection, is in the process.
On the issue of in fighting amongst various chapters of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), Dabiri Erewa stated that such attitude does not augur well for positive development, while calling on NASS committees on diaspora to intervene.
The NiDCOM Chairman expressed her gratitude to the members of the Joint Committee for their unwavering support and assured the Committee of the Commission’s commitment to achieving its mandate.
