The Federal Government has announced plans to push forward the Diaspora Voting Bill, aimed at granting Nigerians living abroad the constitutional right to participate in national elections.
This was disclosed on Monday by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, during the opening ceremony of the one-day Nigerian Stakeholders Engagement on Diaspora Governance in Abuja.
The event also featured the official launch of the Nigerians in Diaspora Response (NiDRes) application and website — a collaborative initiative between the House Committee on Diaspora and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).
According to a statement by NiDCOM spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the Speaker reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that Nigerians abroad can participate actively in the nation’s democratic process.
“The Federal Government is advancing plans for the Diaspora Voting Bill, which seeks to grant Nigerians living abroad the constitutional right to vote in national elections,” the statement quoted Abbas as saying.
Represented by Patrick Umoh, Abbas described the initiative as a crucial step towards inclusive democracy and strengthening citizens’ participation in nation-building.
He added that the 10th House of Representatives prioritises diaspora inclusion as part of its broader legislative agenda focused on accountability, reform, and equitable representation.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Diaspora, Hon. Tochukwu Okere, explained that the Nigerian Stakeholders Engagement on Diaspora Governance 2025 (NiSEDiG) is designed to establish a unified policy framework linking institutions, legislation, and technology for effective diaspora governance.
He further noted that the newly launched NiDRes App and website would streamline access to government services for Nigerians abroad and enhance communication between citizens and Nigerian embassies worldwide.
In her keynote address, the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, highlighted the milestones achieved since the commission’s establishment six years ago.
She said the Nigeria–Diaspora relationship had recorded major progress in key sectors such as health, education, agriculture, ICT, transportation, and volunteerism, adding that the new phase focuses on consolidating these gains for greater national impact.
Dabiri-Erewa also recalled the Federal Executive Council’s approval of the National Diaspora Policy in April 2021, which provides a strategic framework for diaspora involvement in Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
She noted that the Diaspora Data Mapping Portal, launched in June 2021, continues to provide critical data for policy planning and decision-making.
The NiDCOM chief further emphasised the economic importance of the diaspora community, noting that remittances remain Nigeria’s largest source of foreign exchange, amounting to $23.81 billion in 2019, representing about 6% of the country’s GDP.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has consistently advocated a constitutional amendment to allow Nigerians living abroad — as well as certain groups within the country — to vote in future elections.