The Joint National Assembly Committee on Diaspora Affairs has praised the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) for its exceptional performance despite limited resources. The committee has vowed to push for increased funding and the construction of a Diaspora Plaza for the Commission.
During the 2024 Budget Performance Review and 2025 Budget proposal presentation, Sen. Victor Umeh, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora Affairs and NGOs, noted the significant difference between NiDCOM’s 2024 and proposed 2025 budgets. He emphasized the need for better financial support and infrastructure for the Commission, citing its critical role in Nigeria’s national development.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, presented the Commission’s 2024 budget performance, highlighting a 99% execution rate with a total budget of ₦263,125,368 million. However, she noted that despite a capital budget of ₦1,685,630,449 billion, no releases have been made from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.
For 2025, the proposed budget allocates ₦363,943,894 million for salaries and wages, ₦377,098,274 million for overhead costs, and ₦541,037,512 million for personnel costs. Dabiri-Erewa outlined the Commission’s strategic plans, including enhanced diaspora engagement, personnel capacity-building, and infrastructure development to support investment and welfare programs.
The NiDCOM Chairman reiterated the need for a dedicated Diaspora Plaza, which would serve as a hub for Nigerians abroad visiting home. She also emphasized the importance of diaspora data mapping and expressed hope for the establishment of a physical structure to facilitate accurate data collection.
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