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The Director-General of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has called for enhanced funding and better infrastructure for diaspora matters, disclosing that the commission had a mere N47 million in capital and N11 million in recurrent funding for 2023.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s Hard Copy on Friday, she proposed the creation of a Diaspora Plaza to act as a center for Nigerians living abroad.
“In 2023, we managed with N47 million in capital and N11 million in recurrent funding. I honestly don’t know how we made it through.
However, we expect a more substantial budget in 2025, thanks to the National Assembly and the efforts of the Senate committee chairman at that time, Senator Victor, who worked hard to secure better funding for us.
“We aim to establish a Diaspora Plaza, and construction has already begun.
This will be a space where members of the diaspora can come together, unwind, and access reliable information about events in Nigeria.”
Despite facing challenges, Dabiri-Erewa emphasized that many Nigerians abroad are thriving and should not be defined by negative perceptions.
“Consider the number of Nigerians excelling in the UK’s political scene. There’s no need to concentrate on just one individual.”
Related News: she urged people to refrain from disseminating falsehoods about Nigeria and mentioned that her wife prevented her from criticizing Buhari posthumously - Fayose added that the diaspora is crucial for national growth, as per Tinubu. She cautioned against dangerous migration paths, particularly through Libya.
“Be mindful of your destinations. At this point, choosing Libya? If anyone suggests you travel through Libya, you must refuse.”
She reiterated NIDCOM’s dedication to safeguarding Nigerians overseas. “Someone once questioned if NIDCOM's role was solely to repatriate individuals.
Yet, it’s more than that; there are countless stories you don’t hear. For instance, in Japan, when one of our fellow Nigerians faced difficulties, the Nigerian community collaborated to raise funds and provide assistance.”
