Tag: NiDCOM

As part of the federal government’s efforts to address the challenges of unemployment, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has announced a partnership with InnoPower Africa to connect young Nigerian professionals with remote job opportunities in diaspora-owned businesses across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

The chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Arewa, announced this at a signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with InnoPower Africa, in Abuja.

“NIDCOM is proud to champion this initiative that embodies our core mandate: mobilizing the Nigerian diaspora as active participants in solving our nation’s challenges,” she said.

“Nigerians abroad are employers, mentors, and champions who can directly create opportunities for their brothers and sisters at home.”

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The founder of InnoPower Africa, Emil Ekiyor, said the partnership would establish a comprehensive ecosystem involving Nigeria’s top institutions, including ITANA, to facilitate the recruitment and deployment of talented Nigerian youths worldwide through a secure digital business zone.

He said the initiative also partners with the University of Lagos’ African Research Universities Alliance Centre of Excellence for Unemployment and Skills Development, and the National Talent Export Program, aimed at providing world-class training in technical skills, professional communication, and remote work best practices.

He said, “Nigerian talents are world-class, innovative, and ready to deliver exceptional value to businesses globally. What has been missing is not capability: it is access, preparation, and connection to opportunities.

“Through this collaboration with NIDCOM and our talent ecosystem partners, we are building the infrastructure to make Nigerian professionals visible and competitive in markets where their skills are desperately needed.”

Ekiyor explained that the initiative begins with a paid internship programme at the University of Lagos, offering high-achieving students the chance to gain real-world experiences with international businesses.

He further explained that diaspora businesses registered in the NIDCOM database would receive a significant discount on their first year of services if they hire a Nigerian professional for a full year, highlighting some benefits to business owners.

According to him, this innovative programme provides a pathway for university students to engage with the professional workforce, develop global business skills, and transition smoothly into full-time remote jobs after graduation.

“At the core of this initiative is Fast Track Virtual at www.fasttrackvirtual.com, which is InnoPower’s talent placement platform that offers thorough vetting, extensive skills training, cultural competency development, and continuous quality assurance for both professionals and students seeking international work experience,” Ekiyor said.  

The Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has denounced as ‘spurious and fabricated’ allegation that the commission’s Chairman/CEO Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa is discriminatory in addressing the welfare of the Ndigbos in the Diaspora.

A statement by NIDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, described the claims by one Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro purportedly by the Deputy President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, as ‘mere conjecture based on a calculated machinery aimed to distract the NIDCOM boss’.

The statement reads, “The attention of the Management of Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has been called to a spurious and fabricated allegation against the person of our very able and amiable Chairman/CEO, Hon. (Dr) Abike Dabiri-Erewa (OON) as well as the Commission written by one Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, who purportedly claims to be the Deputy President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, raising a false and an unpatriotic alarm on the activities of the Commission as well as its Chairman/ CEO alleging falsely and ignorantly that both the Chairman and the Commission were selective in championing the welfare of the Ndigbos in the Diaspora.

“The Commission would have dismissed such a frivolous allegation (moreso as it does not believe he represents the authentic Ohaneze ) and not waste its precious time responding but there is a necessity to clarify issues and set the records straight for posterity.

“NIDCOM is an establishment set up to engage and see to the welfare of Nigerian citizens abroad irrespective of sex, age, ethnic, religion and political affiliations. The Commission under the dynamic leadership of Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa has been living to expectations since its establishment over six years ago.

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“Its activities, which is glaring for any discerning person with positive mindsets to see, is unprecedented and has positively brought issues relating to the diaspora to the front burner.

“The Commission sees the allegations which are not categorical and not specific in nature, as mere conjecture based on a calculated machinery aimed to distract the NIDCOM boss.

“Reacting to the same allegation, Chief Chibuzo Ubochi, Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Europe and Coordinating Chairman of NIDO Worldwide, and a proud titled Igbo man, stated thus: “I have had the honour of working closely with Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa over the years. Her unwavering dedication to public service commands deep respect. Within our diaspora community, she is affectionately known as Mama Diaspora, a name earned through her consistent care and advocacy for Nigerians abroad, regardless of tribe or state of origin.

“I have seen the reshared post and am concerned by the attention it has attracted and the potential for division it may inadvertently be causing. Speaking from direct experience, I can affirm that Mama Diaspora has always championed unity, inclusion, and the empowerment of all Nigerians in the diaspora. Her commitment transcends ethnic and regional lines, and she continues to work tirelessly to ensure that every Nigerian abroad is treated with dignity and respect.

“At NIDO Worldwide, our guiding ethos is to uphold, value, and respect one another. I therefore appeal to all Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to remain focused on the principles that unite us, rather than those that divide. We are stronger together as One People, One Diaspora Family, with One Homeland: Nigeria. Above testimonial from an Ndigbo Chief and a Diasporan aptly summarised it all.

“In all our operations, engagements and interactions with Nigerians in the diaspora, there is no such instance of segregation, selective treatment based on ethnic or religious background.

“From time to time, the Commission comes to the rescue and aid of any Nigerian in distress irrespective of ethnic background and religious affiliation.

“It is on record that the Commission had specifically intervened in the cases of distressed Nigerians miners in Central Africa Republic, Mali, Ghana, Libya, Morocco, Lebanon, Iraq, South Africa UK, Canada, USA, UAE, Saudi Arabia ,Bosnia Herzegovinia, Ukraine , Sudan and several other countries.

“Crime has no federal character and any Nigerian who commits a crime would serve the penalty while the numerous Nigerians worldwide excelling in their fields of endeavour would always be celebrated.

“In the words of Mark Twain, “ a lie can make its way around the world before the truth can even put on its shoes.”

“Let anyone make no mistakes that the nuisance of ethnic bigotry is a dangerous albatross, and one we have been burdened with since our independence as a nation. To politicise this flammable issue today demeans our humanity as a nation. It is past time to elevate our discourse, reject balkanization, and set an example that leaves our children a unified Nigeria.

“We cannot remain trapped in archaic ethnic rivalries and divisions. We are not crabs in a barrel—we are proud Nigerians , at home and abroad, with a duty to join hands with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to build a united and prosperous Nigeria

The chairman of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has said that about 7,000 Nigerian immigrants are stranded in Libya.

Dabiri-Erewa disclosed this at the official launch of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), strategic plan for Nigeria, 2025-2027, in Abuja.

Dabiri-Etewa, who spoke on Tuesday night, said, “As we speak, 7000 Nigerians are stranded in Libya. At this time and age, people still travel by road.”

IOM Chief of Mission in Nigeria, Ms. Sharon Dimanche, in her welcome address, stated that the IOM strategic plan for Nigeria was developed by Nigerians and owned by Nigerians.

She said, “We all sat together, led by the minister of humanitarian, budget and economic planning, at a technical level, and went through our strategy. And why did we do that? Because for me, it was not about IOM.

“It was about you. That is why I came to this country, for us to sit and serve one another. So we reviewed our strategy, went into details, reflecting some of those priorities, and what we have here is a reflection of your own ideas, what you proposed, and led by your technical people whom we sat together.

“This is not just an IOM strategy for Nigeria, it is Nigeria’s strategy supported by IOM, developed through inclusive consultations and shaped by national priorities,” she added.

She also used the opportunity to call on the federal government and all other stakeholders to support the full implementation of the strategic plan.

She said, “We are not just launching the strategy to leave it there, but I’m counting on each and every one of you to implement that strategy together, so that when we sit down three years, five years from now, we can hold each other accountable.

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“We want to see that difference. And I’m counting on you for your support to make that difference.”

The Deputy Director IOM, Ugochi Daniels, in her goodwill message said, “I’m sure with this team and with the rest of the United Nations team here and the partnership with the government, the road might be steep, but we will get there.

“What I want to add to that is that the strategy that we are launching today is how we as IOM are translating in concrete terms our commitment in achieving the vision the national development aspirations of the federal government of Nigeria in partnership with all of you represented here and the organizations and states and at the federal level that you represent.”

She assured, “It is my firm and concrete belief that when we gather again at the end of the strategy we will be able to celebrate not just the achievements from the strategy but the achievements of all of the states that are supported and the achievements of the federal government of Nigeria and the contribution IOM has had to make to this.”

The Minister of State Humanitarian Affairs, Yusuf Sununu, the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa, representatives of Borno, Yobe, Abia, Bauchi and others pledged to support the implementation of the IOM strategic plan.