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By Tracy Moses
The House of Representatives has called for stronger synergy between the Legislature, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), and other critical stakeholders to enhance diaspora governance and ensure comprehensive support for Nigerians living across the world.
Chairman of the House Committee on Diaspora, Hon. Tochuckwu Chinedu Okere, made the call on Monday during the maiden edition of the Nigerian Stakeholders Engagement on Diaspora Governance (NiSEDiG 2025) held at Conference Room 028 of the National Assembly, Abuja.
Okere, while delivering his welcome address, underscored the importance of harmonizing national and subnational policies as well as leveraging technology to improve the welfare, protection, and participation of Nigerians abroad.
The event, attended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, members of the National Assembly, NiDCOM Chairman/CEO, heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), members of the Diplomatic Corps, and leaders of Nigerian diaspora organizations, also featured the official unveiling of the Nigerians in Diaspora Response App/Web (NiDRes) — a digital platform designed to facilitate real-time engagement between the government and Nigerians overseas.
Okere explained that the NiSEDiG 2025 initiative seeks to harmonize legislation, strengthen institutional coordination, and improve data-driven decision-making for diaspora affairs. He added that the project also aims to promote investment opportunities, innovation, migration management, and legal safeguards for Nigerians in the diaspora.
“This initiative is about bringing together government policies, institutions, and technology under a single framework for more effective diaspora governance,” Okere said. “Our goal is to guarantee prompt access to consular assistance, emergency relief, and welfare services, anchored on accountability, transparency, and compassion.”
Speaking further, the lawmaker noted that the NiDRes platform will allow Nigerians abroad to report emergencies, consular needs, and welfare challenges in real time. It will also enable users to track case progress, access verified embassy and legal contacts, and obtain information on shelters and emergency support.
He added that the platform comes with additional features including volunteer and mentorship registration, investment opportunities, diaspora project listings, and policy updates accessible at all times through both web and mobile channels.
Okere urged participants at the engagement to contribute practical ideas and share experiences that could inform a more inclusive and sustainable diaspora policy framework.
“On behalf of the House Committee on Diaspora, I call on NiDCOM and all relevant partners to deepen collaboration with the Legislature in a manner guided by mutual respect and well-defined responsibilities,” he said. “Together, we can build a system that truly celebrates and supports Nigerians everywhere.”
The one-day forum, convened under the supervision of the House Committee on Diaspora, drew participation from policymakers, development partners, civil society organizations, academia, private sector players, and leaders of diaspora associations, all focused on unlocking the potential of Nigerians abroad for national development.
In her goodwill message, the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, lauded the initiative as “forward-looking and strategic,” describing it as a bold step toward institutionalizing diaspora engagement in national policy. She affirmed NiDCOM’s commitment to work hand-in-hand with the National Assembly to actualize the NiDRes platform and other deliverables from the engagement.