The Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has urged Muslim diaspora communities to transform migration into an avenue for development by leveraging their skills, knowledge, investments and global connections for the benefit of their countries of origin.
Dabiri-Erewa made the call while representing Nigeria at the First Muslim Diaspora Forum in Ankara, Türkiye, where she stressed the need for stronger unity, coordinated action and international cooperation among diaspora communities.
According to an official statement signed by the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, NiDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the forum, held under the theme, “From Roots to Routes,” attracted Ministers, heads of delegations, policymakers and representatives from more than 47 countries.
The forum was declared open by the Vice President of Türkiye, Cevdet Yılmaz, who called on participants to promote fairness, transparency, inclusion and stronger cooperation in addressing challenges confronting diaspora communities.
In her presentation, titled “Unity in the Diaspora: Current Needs, Common Solutions,” Dabiri-Erewa said diaspora engagement should go beyond remittances to include knowledge and skills transfer, investment, innovation, humanitarian intervention, cultural exchange and stronger links with countries of origin.
She identified public communication, humanitarian initiatives and joint action against discrimination and hate speech as areas requiring greater collaboration among Muslim diaspora communities and institutions.
The NiDCOM boss highlighted the Commission’s efforts to provide accurate information to Nigerians abroad, promote positive narratives, counter misinformation and support Nigerians affected by crises and vulnerable migrants.
She noted that Nigerians in the diaspora contribute to national development through medical missions, educational projects, philanthropy, investments and other initiatives, stressing that such contributions should be deliberately harnessed.
Dabiri-Erewa said migration should not sever the relationship between citizens and their countries of origin, but should create opportunities for the diaspora to remain connected and contribute meaningfully to development.
She said the common needs of diaspora communities, including dignity, safety, opportunity and freedom to practise their faith, required collective solutions and stronger partnerships.
The NiDCOM Chairman stressed that the focus should not be on stopping migration, but on ensuring that Nigerians and other diaspora communities remain connected to their motherlands and continue to give back.
She added that Nigeria would strengthen international cooperation on diaspora affairs and deepen relations with participating countries while working with diaspora communities to harness their skills, knowledge, investments, culture and diplomatic influence.
On the sidelines of the forum, Dabiri-Erewa held meetings with Fuad Muradov, Chairman of the State Committee on Diaspora Affairs of Azerbaijan; Sayed Ahmed, head of Sudan’s diaspora organisation; and Zahra Zumrut, Director-General of SESRIC.
The meetings focused on exchanging experiences, strengthening relationships and exploring areas of cooperation in diaspora affairs and development.
Dabiri-Erewa also held a bilateral meeting with Ahmet Alemdar, Vice President of Türkiye’s Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), where discussions centred on the Memorandum of Understanding between NiDCOM and YTB.
Both sides underscored the need to translate the MoU into concrete and impactful programmes, with Alemdar calling for specific joint projects to strengthen diaspora engagement, knowledge exchange, youth development and bilateral cooperation.
The forum concluded with a communique emphasising the need to sustain its theme and gains. The communique was presented by the programme liaison, Ali Fahad, a Turkish-Nigerian.
