The Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, today presented 2025 budget proposal of N1,282,079,680 to the Joint National Assembly Committee on Diaspora Affairs has commended the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).
Members of the Joint Committee, including Senators Ezenwa Onyenwuchi, Ibrahim Dakwambo , Onawo Ogoshi as well as 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.
This was revealed in a statement by the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit NiDCOM, Abuja, Abdur-Rahman Balogun.
Giving the breakdown, Dabiri-Erewa said, “For 2025, 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.”
For 2024, Dabiri-Erewa said, “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.”
She 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 and reiterated the urgent need for a dedicated Diaspora Plaza , not only to serve as office for the commission, but a hub for Nigerians abroad when they visit home.
Responding to inquiries about external funding, the NiDCOM Chairman disclosed that the Commission currently has not received external funding or grants but relies on sponsorships and partnerships from well-meaning organisations for its major events.
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 its unwavering support and assured the Committee of the Commission’s commitment to achieving its mandate.
Responding the Joint National Assembly Committee commended NiDCOM for its outstanding performance, despite its very limited resources vowing to push for increased funding and building of a Diaspora plaza for the Commission.
Presiding over the joint session, Sen. Victor Umeh, Chairman, Senate Committee on Diaspora Affairs and NGOs, noted the significant difference between NiDCOM’s 2024 and proposed 2025 budgets proposal, stressing the need for better financial support and infrastructure for a Commission whose impact has been felt and is critical to Nigeria’s national development.
Commending the prudent leadership style of NiDCOM Chairperson, Sen. Umeh acknowledged her efforts in boosting diaspora engagement despite the the provision of embarrassingly low resources noting the increase in diaspora remittances and investments in the country
The lawmakers unanimously agreed that NiDCOM is underfunded and resolved to advocate for a revision of the Appropriation Bill to reflect an increase to be able to meet up with its core mandates.
