Follow Us on Google
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has called the bluff of its critics questioning its alleged ₦200 million expenditure on events in 2023, declaring that it is ready to make its records available to the National Assembly and the Auditor-General, but will not bow to what it described as social media blackmail.
The Commission said allegations that it could not provide evidence of events organised with the funds were false and part of a “campaign of calumny” against the leadership of its Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued in Abuja by its Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM insisted that all documents relating to its expenditure were intact and would be presented to the appropriate statutory authorities whenever requested.
The Commission said it would respond to any official inquiry from the Auditor-General of the Federation or the National Assembly and provide all necessary documentation to the relevant oversight committees.
“NiDCOM will unequivocally answer any questions it officially receives from the Auditor-General or NASS when invited,” the statement said.
Defending its 2023 activities, the Commission listed several major events held during the year, including the Global African Diaspora Summit, National Diaspora Day, National Diaspora Merit Award, Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit and the Badagry Door of Return.
It said the Global African Diaspora Summit attracted participants from 16 countries and resulted in the recognition of Dabiri-Erewa as an OACPS champion.
According to NiDCOM, the Commission had to seek support from sponsors for some of its activities because of its limited resources.
The Commission also took a swipe at the United Kingdom-based Global Integrity Watch (GIW), which raised the allegations, questioning the group’s motives and describing its actions as politically driven.
NiDCOM said the organisation was registered and launched in London on August 17, 2026, and alleged that it was now being used to target government agencies and individuals for political reasons.
The Commission maintained that it had carried out its mandate diligently despite limited resources and would remain accountable to legally constituted institutions.
It, however, stressed that while it was prepared to submit its records to the National Assembly and the Auditor-General, it would not allow what it described as politically motivated allegations on social media to distract it from its responsibilities.
