The Federal Government has declared that Nigerians in the Diaspora are critical assets for national development and should no longer be viewed as a consular burden.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, made the declaration on Wednesday, July 23, 2026, during a courtesy visit by the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and top management of the Commission to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Headquarters in Abuja.
Amb. Enikanolaiye said Nigerians across the globe are making remarkable contributions in various fields, and that only a few isolated cases are responsible for negative media narratives about the country abroad.
“Despite these isolated incidents, the country’s outlook remains positive,” he said.
The Minister commended NiDCOM for its strides over the years despite challenges, noting that the Commission has effectively filled the institutional gap that existed before its establishment and has justified the Federal Government’s decision to create it.
He specifically praised Hon. Dabiri-Erewa for her “resilience, dedication, and commitment,” saying her leadership has continued to place Nigerians in the Diaspora on the global map while ensuring that their skills, expertise, and resources are harnessed for national development.
Amb. Enikanolaiye reaffirmed the Ministry’s readiness to work closely with NiDCOM to advance the 4Ds Foreign Policy Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He also proposed strategic engagement with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to strengthen collaboration between state governments and Nigerians in the Diaspora for development initiatives across the country.
In her response, Hon. Dabiri-Erewa highlighted NiDCOM’s achievements since its establishment and outlined key challenges, including inadequate funding and the need for a permanent office structure.
In a statement by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director, Media, Public Relations and Protocols, NiDCOM, Abuja, she congratulated Ambassador Enikanolaiye on his appointment and noted that NiDCOM has enjoyed a cordial and productive working relationship with successive Ministers of State for Foreign Affairs.
The NiDCOM boss reiterated the Commission’s commitment to deepening diaspora engagement and expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its sustained partnership in promoting the interests of Nigerians abroad and advancing national development.