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…As agency dismisses criticism over N200m expenditure
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has challenged 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 of the Federation, but will not succumb 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 said 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 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 activities in 2023, the Commission listed several major events it organised 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.
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According to NiDCOM, the Global African Diaspora Summit attracted participants from 16 countries and culminated in the recognition of Dabiri-Erewa as an Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) champion.
The Commission said it also had to seek support from sponsors for some of its activities because of its limited resources.
NiDCOM further took aim at the United Kingdom-based Global Integrity Watch (GIW), which raised the allegations, questioning the organisation’s motives and accusing it of pursuing a politically motivated agenda.
The Commission claimed that GIW was registered and launched in London on August 17, 2026, and alleged that it was being used to target government agencies and individuals for political reasons.
NiDCOM maintained that it had carried out its mandate diligently despite operating with limited resources and would continue to 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 of the Federation, it would not allow what it described as politically motivated allegations on social media to distract it from its responsibilities.
