The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has stressed the critical role of data mapping in strengthening the Commission’s engagement with Nigerians abroad.
Dabiri-Erewa made the statement in Abuja as NiDCOM launched its 2025 Comprehensive Data Mapping initiative for Nigerians in the Euroasia region, on Monday.
The NiDCOM boss, in a statement signed by Gabriel Odu of the Protocol Unit in the commission, urged Nigerians across Euroasia to register on the Commission’s Data Mapping Portal, calling it a vital step toward making diaspora voting a reality.
She reiterated that enabling Nigerians in the diaspora to vote has been a longstanding priority for NiDCOM, stressing that every Nigerian of voting age, regardless of their location, should have a voice in the country’s democratic process.
Dabiri-Erewa noted that one of the main barriers to diaspora voting is the lack of credible data on Nigerians living abroad. As such, she underscored the importance of registering on the portal to create accurate and up-to-date data on the Nigerian diaspora.
‘Every Nigerian of voting age, irrespective of location, deserves a voice in Nigeria’s democratic process, especially Nigerian diasporas, powerful agents of National Development,’ she said.
The data collection initiative, which will focus on Euroasia in the first quarter of 2025, is seen as a significant step toward improving engagement with Nigerians in that region.
The NiDCOM Chairman also commended the Council of Nigerian Association Presidents in Australia for their collaboration in promoting partnerships that benefit both Nigeria and host countries.
She expressed excitement about attending upcoming diaspora events in Euroasia and encouraged Nigerians there to highlight their achievements, urging them to aim for nominations in the National Diaspora Merit Awards.
Dabiri-Erewa reiterated NiDCOM’s commitment to collaborating closely with Nigerians in the diaspora, particularly in Euroasia, and praised the Commission’s Technology Transfer and Innovation Department for its efforts in driving innovative solutions for diaspora engagement.
The Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to Australia, Ambassador Jane Adams, described the data mapping initiative as timely and essential.
She confirmed that the Mission is working with relevant agencies to ensure that Nigerians in the diaspora are treated with dignity, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Adams also praised Dabiri-Erewa for her leadership and assured full support for NiDCOM’s efforts.
The Head of NiDCOM’s TTI Department, Abdulrahman Terab, showcased the user-friendly portal, explaining that the data collected will provide essential statistics and offer tailored solutions for Nigerians abroad.
He assured participants that the portal complies with Nigeria’s Data Protection Regulation and uses advanced encryption systems to safeguard privacy and prevent data breaches.
The Diaspora Data-Mapping Portal, launched in 2021, aims to collect comprehensive demographic data on Nigerians living abroad.
The primary goal is to better understand the diaspora community and provide tailored services, such as Diaspora Mortgage Schemes, Diaspora Housing, and other personalised packages.
