NiDCOM Replies Collins Nweke, Says NIDO Worldwide Has No Legal Backing

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The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, has responded to a rejoinder issued by Mr Collins Nweke over its press release of September 29, 2026, insisting that facts must be separated from sentiments.

In a statement signed by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, NiDCOM said it has never sought to sideline or erase the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, NIDO.

According to the commission, NiDCOM itself was a product of the struggle and advocacy of credible leaders of NIDO and other diaspora organisations. It noted that Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, as a member of the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2015, worked with leaders including Dr. Sule Yakubu Bassi, Ms Lola Mabogunje, Prof. Manny Aniebulam, late Amb. Okuobi and others to sponsor and pass the NiDCOM Bill.

NiDCOM said it knows the history and honours it, and cannot stand by and watch that history being distorted by a few individuals. The commission agreed that what does not work well should be reformed, not abandoned, adding that it has been preaching and urging NIDO to reform in the last six years.

The commission said it has watched NIDO elections, mediated in disputes, provided its platform for NIDO to operate and appealed countless times for unity. It questioned what NIDO has done to reform itself.

On the legality of NIDO Worldwide, NiDCOM said it requested three simple documents from those parading themselves as NIDO Worldwide, which are the CAC or equivalent registration of NIDO Worldwide as a legal entity, the constitution that creates the office of Chairman of NIDO Worldwide, and the certified report of a global election that produced that leadership.

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NiDCOM said till date, none has been provided. It stated that what is on record are a factional Continental Chair in Europe whose election is being challenged in court, factional NIDO Africa, factional NIDO America, while Asia is totally in disarray. It added that NIDO does not exist in several countries like South Africa and Australia, and that Canada has over 69 diaspora organisations working together, but there is no NIDO in Canada because an individual registered NIDO in his own name.

The commission said no responsible government agency will engage on the basis of a worldwide structure that exists only on letterheads to solicit recognition and funds.

On the Governing Board of NiDCOM, the commission said its constitution is the prerogative of Mr President and has nothing to do with NIDO internal crisis.

On the way forward, NiDCOM reiterated that it recognises country chapters of NIDO that are duly registered in their host countries, active and verifiable by Nigerian missions, and that it works with them daily.

It said it does not recognise any individual or group that unilaterally declares itself as NIDO Worldwide without a transparent, inclusive and verifiable election by all chapters.

NiDCOM advised federal government ministries, departments and agencies as well as Nigerian missions abroad to exercise caution and verify claims of NIDO Worldwide leadership from NiDCOM.

It called for a proper re-organisation of NIDO from the bottom up, starting from functional country chapters to continental chapters and then to a truly elected global body supervised by an independent electoral committee.

The commission cited the recent Nigeria in Diaspora Economic Conference, NIDEC 2026, held in Toronto as an example of inclusive work with diaspora associations in Canada.

NiDCOM said it remains committed to its mandate to engage all Nigerians in the diaspora, whether they belong to NIDO, NAPAC, ANPA, MANSAG, NNC, other associations or no association at all.

The commission said its allegiance is to the 20 million Nigerians abroad, not to acronyms or titles, and urged well meaning NIDO leaders and elders to return to the table of unity.

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