Hon. Chinedu Tochukwu Chikere, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs, has assured the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) of a significant push for improved budgetary allocations in the upcoming fiscal year.
During an oversight visit to the Commission’s Abuja headquarters on March 5, 2026, Chikere commended Chairman/CEO Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa for her impactful leadership despite limited resources.
He emphasized that effective diaspora engagement necessitates increased funding for international travel and the establishment of a dedicated Diaspora Plaza to serve as a functional hub for the Commission’s expanding mandate.
In her response, Dabiri-Erewa detailed several critical initiatives for 2026, including a review of the National Diaspora Policy alongside the International Organization for Migration and the upcoming Global Nigerian Diaspora Investment and Innovation Summit in Toronto this August.
She also used the forum to urge the Committee to facilitate stricter regulations via the Ministry of Labour to protect Nigerians from fraudulent foreign employment agents.
The visit concluded with a comprehensive inspection of the Commission’s current facilities within the Federal Secretariat Complex and its Garki annex, highlighting the infrastructure needs required to support the Commission’s growing staff and responsibilities.