……..Says Speaker Dr Tajudeen Abass
The Speaker, House of Representatives, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, has announced that the Federal Government is advancing plans for the Diaspora Voting Bill, which seeks to grant Nigerians living abroad the constitutional right to participate in national elections.
Dr. Tajudeen made this known while declaring open a one- dayNigerian Stakeholders Engagement on Diaspora Governance (NiSEDiG 2025) and the launch of the Nigerians in Diaspora Response (NiDRes) Application and Website, organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora in conjunction with Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM).
The Speaker who was represented by the member representing Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State Dr. Tajudeen described the initiative as a major step towards extending democratic participation to all citizens and ensuring that every Nigerian voice is heard in the process of nation-building.
He said the 10th House of Representatives regards diaspora engagement as a national priority, aligned with its legislative agenda of inclusion, accountability, and economic reforms.
Earlier, the Chairman.House Committee on Diaspora Tochukwu Chinedu Okere, said that the NiSEDiG 2025 initiative was designed to create a unified policy framework combining institutions, legislation, and technology to improve Diaspora Governance.
Mr. Okere explained that the newly launched Nigerians in Diaspora Response (NiDRes) App and Website would simplify how Nigerians abroad access government services and communicate with missions globally.
In her keynote speech, Chairman Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, highlighted the remarkable progress made in diaspora engagements since the Commission’s establishment six years ago.
She said “Over the past six years, the Nigeria–Diaspora relationship has made groundbreaking strides in health, education, agriculture, ICT, transportation, and volunteerism,”.
The NIDCOM boss said the Diaspora Data Mapping Portal, launched in June 2021, continues to support data collection and informed decision-making.
Dabiri-Erewa, maintained that Diaspora remittances remain Nigeria’s highest source of foreign exchange, amounting to US$23.81 billion in 2019 — approximately 6% of the nation’s GDP.
