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Abuja, Oct. 31, 2023. In tune with global standard, Hon. Olubunmi
Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior has assured Nigerians that the Ministry
is coming up with a comprehensive review of migration and visa policies
with the support of key stakeholders in the country aimed at easing all
the processes for Nigerians both home and abroad.
The Minister stated this on Tuesday in Abuja when he received the
Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM)
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who led the management team of the Commission
on a courtesy visit .
He said the ministry is worried about some lopsidedness in some
migration, and visa
policies which tend to make Nigeria a dumping ground.
The Minister said that the review will take cognisance of the principle
of reciprocity in line with international standards.
Tunji-Ojo applauded the efforts of the Commission through the proactive
nature of the Chairman, saying NIDCOM has more to offer in the area of
welfare for Nigerians in the Diaspora and creating positive image for
the country abroad.
The Minister, however, shared his concerns about the general challenges
with passport processing, capturing and collection.. assuming that
everything possible will be done to make the process more efficient
Earlier, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa commended the dynamism brought in by
the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo in the improvement on
issuance of passport to Nigerians both home and abroad.
She advocated for more effective passport capturing and collection
process for Nigerians living abroad.
Dabiri-Erewa, who solicited for a working collaboration with the
Ministry while rolling out some of the activities of the Commission
since inception.
She listed data mapping of Nigerians in the Diaspora to know the actual
number of Nigerians living there, improvement in diaspora remittances,
creating diaspora focal persons, holding annually diaspora day on July
25, Badagry Door of Return, Diaspora Quarterly lecture series, National
Diaspora Investment Summit, Diaspora Investment Trust Fund and many
interventionist programmes for the welfare of Nigerians.
The NIDCOM boss said there is urgent need for collaboration and create a
structural platform to address complex diaspora issues that require
coordinated efforts from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
