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.
In a release signed by the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit NiDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, stated that the joint committee vowed to push for increased funding and the building of a Diaspora plaza for the commission.
This was one of the highlights during the 2024 budget performance review and the presentation of the 2025 budget proposal by Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairman of NIDCOM when she appeared before the joint committee.
Presiding over the joint session, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Diaspora Affairs and Sen. Victor Umeh, noted the significant difference in the commission’s 2024 budget and the 2025 budget proposal.
He stressed 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 Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Sen. Umeh acknowledged her efforts in boosting Diaspora engagement, despite the provision of embarrassingly low resources.
Members of the joint committee, unanimously agreed that NiDCOM is underfunded and resolved to advocate for a revision of the appropriation bill to reflect an increased funding for the commission.
Presenting NiDCOM’s 2024 budget performance, Dabiri-Erewa said that the commission managed a total budget of ₦263,125, 368 million achieving a 99 percent execution rate.
However, despite a capital budget of ₦1, 685, 630, 449 billion, no releases have been made so far from the iffice of the accountant-general of the federation.
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For 2025, Dabiri-Erewa said the budget allocates ₦363, 943, 894 million for salaries and wages; ₦377, 098, 274 million for overhead cost, and ₦541, 037, 512 millions for personnel cost.
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 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.