Few Nigerian public servants embody this idea more visibly than Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa. From her early career as a respected journalist to her current role as Chairman and CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), she has spent decades giving voice to the voiceless and connecting the scattered Nigerian family across continents.
But how effective has she really been? And how does her work compare with diaspora leaders in other countries? From Storyteller to Advocate
Abike began her career telling stories as a journalist with the Nigerian Television Authority. She became known for her empathy, highlighting social issues and amplifying voices often overlooked. That instinct carried over into her political career, where she represented Ikorodu in the House of Representatives for three terms.
At NIDCOM, she now faces a unique challenge: safeguarding millions of Nigerians abroad, responding to crises, and making the diaspora a partner in national development.
Global Benchmarks: How Others Do It India: The Crisis-Response Model
India treats its diaspora as an extension of the homeland. The Ministry of External Affairs operates Migrant Resource Centres worldwide, while initiatives like Operation Ganga demonstrated swift crisis response by evacuating thousands of Indian students from conflict zones.
“The Indian diaspora never doubts that New Delhi will answer the call in times of crisis.”
Strengths: Clear structures, fast crisis management.
Weaknesses: Bureaucracy slows down everyday service delivery.
Jamaica: The Community-First Approach
Jamaica engages its diaspora through biennial conferences, advisory councils, and youth programs. Its Global Jamaica Diaspora Council gives citizens abroad direct influence over policymaking.
Strengths: Deep connection and inclusivity.
Weaknesses: Limited by small scale and funding.
Ghana: The Policy and Metrics Path
Ghana’s Diaspora Engagement Policy sets measurable targets, coupled with monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. This makes accountability possible and helps track real progress.
Strengths: Policy clarity, transparency.
Weaknesses: Implementation struggles due to resources.
Nigeria and Abike: Strengths and Struggles
Under Dabiri-Erewa, Nigeria has made significant strides. NIDCOM has become the go-to voice for stranded Nigerians, victims of trafficking, and those facing injustice abroad. Her visibility has ensured diaspora issues remain part of the national conversation.
But challenges persist. Limited budgets, overlapping responsibilities with embassies, and the sheer size of Nigeria’s global population make her job daunting. Critics point to inconsistent responses and the absence of systematic monitoring.
“She gives visibility to diaspora crises — but visibility must evolve into institutional strength.” What Nigeria Can Learn
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From India: Build decentralised resource centres and maintain proactive crisis response systems.
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From Jamaica: Host regular diaspora conferences to foster trust and inclusion.
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From Ghana: Introduce measurable benchmarks to track outcomes and build accountability.
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The Road Ahead
Abike Dabiri-Erewa has laid a foundation: Nigerians abroad now have a voice at the table. The next chapter, however, requires moving from visibility to structure, from advocacy to measurable results.
If Nigeria can borrow the best practices from India, Jamaica, and Ghana while tailoring them to its unique scale, Dabiri-Erewa’s legacy could be that of the leader who not only spoke for Nigerians abroad but built the systems that protected them.
Final Word
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa’s story is one of persistence, passion, and visibility. She has raised the profile of Nigeria’s diaspora globally, but the true measure of her effectiveness will be whether she can transform NIDCOM into a powerhouse of protection, policy, and partnership.
In a world where migration defines the future, leaders like Abike matter — not just for the people they serve, but for the nation they help reimagine.
