NIDO Europe Disowns NIDO Worldwide Statement on NIDCOM, Confirms Harold Ogunfemi Remains Chairman

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The Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe, NIDOE, has dissociated itself from a statement issued under the name NIDO Worldwide concerning the Auditor-General for the Federation’s report on the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM.

In a statement dated September 21, 2026 and signed by Hon. Cllr. Harold Ogunfemi and the General Secretary Hon. Michael Otogo, NIDOE said it was neither consulted nor involved in the preparation or approval of the September 18 publication and that the statement does not represent the position of NIDO Europe.

The organisation used the opportunity to reaffirm Ogunfemi as its legitimate chairman and to dispute the claim by Sir Barr. Chibuzo Ubochi to the NIDO Europe chairmanship and his representation as Coordinating Chairman, NIDO Worldwide.

According to NIDOE, Ogunfemi emerged as chairman through a constitutional electoral process at its Annual General Meeting held in Athens, Greece from November 7 to 10, 2024, and formally assumed office on November 9, 2024 succeeding Dr Bashir Obasekola in line with established succession arrangements.

NIDOE stated that the leadership question had been subjected to judicial proceedings. It cited a case before the County Court at Central London, Claim No. L03CL967, where a claim brought against NIDO Europe was dismissed by Deputy District Judge Chakravarty in a judgment dated May 28, 2025. It added that Ogunfemi’s 2024 election has not been successfully challenged or set aside by any court, and he therefore remains the recognised chairman.

Consequently, NIDOE said it does not recognise Ubochi’s claim to the NIDO Europe chairmanship.

The dispute also extends to the status and authority of a body described as NIDO Worldwide. NIDOE explained that the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission Establishment Act 2017 recognises continental NIDO structures representing Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania, and that it is not aware of any statutory provision establishing an overarching body called NIDO Worldwide.

It noted however that the National Diaspora Policy describes NIDO as having branches on five continents and empowers NIDCOM to coordinate and harmonise continental organisations and to establish a worldwide council comprising continental, regional and local leaderships.

The distinction became significant because the September 18 statement was presented as approved by five continental bodies. The statement listed Dr Fatoye Olufemi as Chairman NIDO Africa, Ubochi as Chairman NIDO Europe and Coordinating Chairman NIDO Worldwide, Dr Chris Juwon Fayomi as Coordinator NIDO Oceania, Dr Victor Ubani as Chairman NIDO Americas and Dr Franca Adanne Akinola as Chairman NIDO Asia.

NIDOE said it disputes the authority of that representation. NIDO Africa has also rejected the statement, disputing the description of Dr Fatoye Olufemi as its chairman and stating that Professor Jude Osakwe is its continental chairman with first tenure running until May 2027. NIDO Africa said it did not authorise or participate in preparing the September 18 statement and called on signatories to disclose the constitutional basis of their offices, including electing bodies, dates and duration of mandates and constitutional provisions relied upon.

NIDOE clarified that the Auditor-General’s 2024 annual report contained 13 observations relating to NIDCOM covering procurement procedures, financial documentation, contract execution, payments, tax deductions and physical verification of assets. It said such findings should be addressed by the Office of the Auditor-General, NIDCOM and relevant committees of the National Assembly and treated as administrative matters requiring responses and documentation until appropriate authorities reach conclusions.

The organisation maintained that its mandate is to represent and serve Nigerians in Europe and not to get involved in partisan or institutional disputes between federal agencies and the National Assembly.

NIDOE urged members of the Nigerian community in Europe, government agencies, businesses and stakeholders to verify the authority of anyone claiming to represent NIDO Europe before entering into official engagements.

It reaffirmed commitment to constitutional governance, transparency, unity and rule of law and advised diaspora members to rely on constitutionally recognised structures rather than competing claims of authority.

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