The newly appointed Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Nigeria, Dimanche Sharon, has pledged to deepen collaboration with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) to promote safe, orderly, and regular migration, as well as to strengthen diaspora engagement strategies.
Sharon made the commitment during a courtesy visit to the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
She commended NiDCOM for its achievements in diaspora engagement and migration governance, describing Nigeria’s approach as a model for the African continent.
“Migration, when effectively managed, serves as a powerful driver of sustainable development,” Sharon noted. “We acknowledge the significant contributions of the Nigerian diaspora, particularly in terms of remittances, which remain the highest in sub-Saharan Africa.”
She reaffirmed IOM’s readiness to work more closely with NiDCOM on initiatives that align with the government’s efforts and help realise the shared goal of safe migration.
Sharon highlighted that Nigeria received $20.1 billion in diaspora remittances in 2022—accounting for 38 per cent of the total remittances to sub-Saharan Africa—underscoring the diaspora’s critical role in national development.
In her response, Dr Dabiri-Erewa welcomed the IOM delegation and reiterated the Commission’s commitment to further collaboration.
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She outlined key priority areas requiring urgent attention and joint action, including: the review and implementation of the National Diaspora Policy; capacity-building and training opportunities for NiDCOM staff; study tours to support institutional learning; joint public awareness campaigns on the dangers of irregular migration; and sustained engagement with the Standing Committee on Diaspora Matters.
Dabiri-Erewa stressed the need to treat migration as a development issue and expressed confidence that the partnership with IOM would continue to deliver meaningful outcomes for Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora.
IOM and NiDCOM have also been working together on the safe return and reintegration of Nigerians stranded abroad, particularly during humanitarian emergencies.
