Diaspora

Nigeria’s 2026 National Diaspora Day ended with a push to turn the expertise of Nigerian doctors and other health professionals abroad into a more permanent part of the country’s healthcare system. The two-day event, held on 24 and 25 July at the Presidential Villa in Abuja and attended virtually by Nigerians around the world, followed the government’s pre-event call for …

A summer visit home to Nigeria became much more than a family reunion for Belgium-based writer Collins Nweke* and his wife, Tonia. It turned into a deeply moving journey of gratitude, memory and rediscovery — one that reminds all of us, especially those living in the diaspora, of the people whose quiet influence shaped our lives. This heartfelt essay will …

As Nigeria continues to grapple with the migration of doctors and nurses, this year’s National Diaspora Day will focus on how medical professionals abroad can help strengthen the country’s healthcare system. Nigerians around the world are invited to participate online in the two-day event. _____________ The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has invited Nigerians living around the world to participate …

The United Nations General Assembly has taken a significant symbolic step in confronting one of the darkest chapters in human history. On 25 March 2026, the Assembly adopted a resolution recognising the transatlantic slave trade as “the gravest crime against humanity,” a move widely welcomed by advocates of historical justice and reparative action. The occasion was the UN Plenary to …

Nigerian community leaders across Europe, in collaboration with the International Advocacy for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption (IAHRAC) and other diaspora-based organisations, have released a comprehensive report outlining the most urgent challenges facing Nigerians abroad. Based on findings from high-level leadership meetings and a cross-continental survey, the report highlights deep frustrations with administrative processes, embassy capacity, and the deteriorating security situation …

 In a landmark step towards unified advocacy, leaders of Nigerian communities across Europe convened a virtual summit on Saturday, 20 September, to tackle pressing issues affecting the diaspora and develop concrete proposals for the Nigerian government. Organized by the International Advocacy for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption (IAHRAC), the meeting marked an important move towards building a stronger collective voice for …

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a sharp increase in the fees for obtaining the Nigerian international passport. The new pricing structure will take effect on 1 September 2025, according to a statement released on Thursday by a spokesman for the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS). The increment is tied to the rollout of the new “Nigerian Standard Passport,” which …

The long-running leadership crisis that has rocked the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE) for months has finally been laid to rest. According to a press statement issued by the organisation, the Royal Courts of Justice in London, in a ruling on 28 May 2025, has unequivocally affirmed the legitimacy of the Central Executive Council led by Harold Ogunfemi, bringing …

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has launched two new account types, the Non-Resident Nigerian Ordinary Account (NRNOA) and the Non-Resident Nigerian Investment Account (NRNIA), to enhance financial inclusion and investment opportunities for Nigerians in the diaspora. Effective from 1 January 2025, these accounts are accessible through authorized banks, offering a secure and transparent way for Non-Resident Nigerians (NRNs) to …

Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has urged Nigerians in the diaspora to recognize and leverage Nigeria’s enormous potential, not only for personal advancement, but for the progress of the country. This, to him, will foster a sense of pride and promote the country’s development. Speaking through Deputy Governor Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, on 18 December at the “ConnectED Diaspora …

Dr RosaLyn Amanda Dressman, a former President of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Germany, has been appointed Director-General of the Electricity Regulatory Agency of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. In her new role, Ms Dressman, who has already assumed office, is tasked with providing strategic leadership and overseeing the regulation of electricity generation, transmission, distribution and retail in the state. The …

Nigerian-born Bola Oyetunji has been appointed the Auditor-General of the New South Wales, Australia’s most populous state. New South Wales’ state capital is Sydney, which is also Australia’s most populous city. Responding to the appointment, Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), said the news was heart-warming. She described the appointment of Mr Oyetunji as well-deserved and commendable. …

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has reiterated that a successful Nigeria needs the strong and dynamic collaboration of its government with its citizens at home as well as those in the diaspora. Dabiri-Erewa stated this in Abuja on Wednesday at the launching of a book written by a UK-based author and property magnate, Yemi Edun, …

Following the directive of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) barring international money transfer operators (IMTOs) from paying Nigerians in foreing currencies, Nigerians abroad will no longer be able to send dollars or any foreing currency into bank accounts in the country. IMTOs have therefore removed the options of sending dollars or other foreign currencies to Nigeria on their websites …

Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Nigeria’s Minister of the Interior, has reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian government towards delivering a seamless and efficient passport experience for Nigerians, both within the country and in the diaspora. According to him, this was the directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to him and other cabinet members towards attainment of the ‘renewed hope’ agenda for …

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has finalised plans to launch a self-service application system next month. The commission said the new system would allow Nigerians in the diaspora to seamlessly enrol for their National Identity Number (NIN), a set of eleven digits assigned to Nigerians of all ages and legal residents by the Nigerian government and issued and managed …

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana has officially launched a policy on how the country would engage its citizens living across the globe in national development efforts in their homeland. The Diaspora Engagement Policy was unveiled at a ceremony on Wednesday in Accra. Highlighting the significance of the Ghanaian diaspora, estimated to be between 1.5 and 3 million citizens …

The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched the Diaspora Housing Scheme that enables Nigerians outside the country to access up to N50 million in mortgage loans, repayable over a period of 10 years at an interest rate of 6.9%. The scheme, facilitated by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), is to promote an active involvement of Nigerians living abroad in …

Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, has assured that he would soon come up with a comprehensive review of migration and visa policies of the country. The aim of the review, he explained, is to make the processes of obtaining passport and travelling easier for Nigerians both at home and abroad. Dr Tunji-Ojo made the promise on Tuesday in …

Dr Julius Garvey, son of the legendary Jamaican-born Pan-African activist Marcus Garvey, attended this year’s Badagry Door of Return Festival, which took place from 19 to 21 October. The annual event, which holds in the town of Badagry, remembers the slave trade that led to the forcible migration of millions of Africans and seeks to reconnect the Black diaspora with …