From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
The Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) has called on Abike Dabiri, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), to provide greater support to Nigerians abroad. They argue that enhanced attention from NIDCOM could improve their well-being and address socioeconomic harassment faced in host countries.
In a statement released to journalists on Monday, April 7, in Kaduna, NIDO Convener Faduri Oluwadare Joseph expressed frustration over the commission’s perceived inaction. “Since the creation of the commission, we have not felt the impact, so they failed us. Nigerians in the diaspora find themselves helpless when they need their government’s intervention on any issue,” he said.
Joseph highlighted the potential for Nigerians abroad to attract investors to Nigeria if adequately supported. He envisioned a future where Nigeria’s improvement could draw back its diaspora, citing Ghana’s turnaround as an example. “There was a time we were hearing ‘Ghana Must Go!’ But are Ghanaians still scattered like before? No! They’ve gone back because their nation is better now,” he noted.
He announced plans for a Nigerians in Diaspora Movement to foster unity and mutual support. Comparing Nigeria to the U.S., he said, “When Americans say, ‘God bless America,’ they feel their country’s impact anywhere. If an American needs help globally, their government acts swiftly. But for Nigerians—in London, Germany, Libya, or elsewhere—many suffer without aid.”
Joseph pointed out a lack of awareness about NIDCOM’s role. “In America alone, we have over five million Nigerians. I doubt even 500 know Abike Dabiri’s duties. When they have problems, they don’t know who to call,” he said. He urged Dabiri to advocate for Nigerians abroad and push for an environment that encourages their return and investment.
He criticised Nigeria’s silence on a recent 10% U.S. tariff hike affecting food imports like gari and beans, noting other nations’ retaliatory tariffs—China at 24%, Canada responding too—while NIDCOM and the government remain quiet. “Nigerians in America now pay more, and nobody fights for them,” he said.
Joseph shared stories of Nigerians facing issues abroad—like a woman in Chicago losing 50 acres of land illegally—without recourse. He also cited a case where foreign investors, rallied by a Nigerian woman to invest $250 million in real estate, saw their project demolished by the Minister of Works, with no response from Dabiri despite appeals.
“Nigerians bring over $24 billion annually to support families, cushioning the government’s economic failures. If the environment were conducive, they wouldn’t be scattered searching for greener pastures,” he said. NIDO called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to scrutinise NIDCOM’s activities under Dabiri’s leadership.