NIDO UK, Americas and Africa Disown Purported NIDO Worldwide Statement on NIDCOM Audit, Back Abike Dabiri-Erewa

By Wale Abiodun

The Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation chapters in the United Kingdom, Americas and Africa have rejected a statement issued by certain individuals under the banner of NIDO Worldwide over the Auditor-General for the Federation’s report relating to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM.

In separate disclaimers issued in London and across continents on September 21 and September 28, 2026, the chapters said the publication does not represent their views, position or authority and was issued without their mandate.

Chairman of NIDO UK Chapter, Cllr Taslim Gbaja-Biamila, in a statement dated September 28, 2026 in London, said neither the chapter nor its members mandated any individual or body to speak on their behalf on the matter.

He said NIDO UK Chapter fully supports transparency, accountability and good governance and respects the constitutional role of the Auditor-General, the National Assembly and oversight authorities, but stressed that due process, fairness and institutional integrity must be upheld.

The chapter expressed concern over attempts by certain individuals to create the impression that they have a universal mandate to represent Nigerians in the diaspora worldwide. It said the Nigerian diaspora is diverse, independent and globally dispersed and no individual or self-appointed body can legitimately claim to speak for all diaspora organisations or NIDO chapters without a clearly established, recognised and democratically conferred mandate.

According to the UK chapter, the publication appears designed not merely to comment on audit observations but to project the authority of a purported global structure whose representative status remains disputed. It said NIDO UK does not recognise any such body as having authority to issue pronouncements on behalf of independent NIDO chapters.

It noted that issues raised in the Auditor-General’s report are matters for appropriate constitutional institutions, adding that audit observations are not findings of criminal liability nor proof of wrongdoing. The proper forum, it said, is through established oversight mechanisms supported by documentary evidence and due process.

The chapter said NIDCOM has stated its willingness to cooperate fully with relevant authorities and provide required documentation, and welcomed the commitment.

NIDO UK also placed on record its continued confidence in Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NIDCOM. It said since the establishment of the commission, Dabiri-Erewa has been instrumental in strengthening engagement between Nigeria and its global diaspora, promoting diaspora participation in national development, assisting Nigerians in distress abroad and elevating diaspora affairs within national policy.

It said while no public institution should be exempt from scrutiny, such scrutiny must be objective, evidence-based and conducted through lawful institutions rather than campaigns that risk undermining public confidence.

Similarly, NIDO Americas in a disclaimer dated September 21, 2026 and signed by Bukola Olaoye, Chair of NIDOA Board of Trustees and Dr Toni Ogbanufe, Secretary, said it neither authorised nor approved the September 18 statement credited to NIDO Worldwide.

NIDO Americas said its Executive Council and chapter presidents were not consulted and therefore rejects any suggestion that the publication represents its position.

The organisation said the Nigerian government through its Embassy in the United States facilitated a unification process that led to election of new officers to the NIDOA USA Board, which together with USA chapters and districts form part of NIDO Americas structure alongside Canada and Brazil, and this governance structure must be respected.

NIDO Americas said it supports transparency and accountability in all public institutions including NIDCOM and supports a full response to the Auditor-General’s observations through proper institutional channels, not through social media.

It called on NIDCOM and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to continue engaging officially with duly recognised and legitimate representatives of NIDO and to rely on established governance structures and verified mandates.

NIDO Americas advised Nigerians at home and abroad and institutional partners that individuals acting without verified mandate are not authorised to represent or bind NIDO Americas, and any engagement with such persons is at their own risk.

In the same vein, NIDO Africa through its Public Relations Officer, Hon. Folaji Emmanuel Adura, also demanded that signatories to the September 18 statement publish the process by which it was approved and the mandate it holds from each body in whose name it was issued.

NIDO Africa also asked them to publish the constitutional basis of their office including the body that elected or appointed them, date, term and provision under which they act, to publicly correct reference to Dr Fatoye as Chairman of NIDO Africa, and to confirm whether they knew of a pending suit that invalidates any action of Dr Fatoye and his group.

It warned that any signatory who continues to recognise or relate with Dr Fatoye as Chairman of NIDO Africa does so with full knowledge of pending suit and that NIDO Africa will apply to the Federal High Court to join such persons to contempt proceedings.

All three continental bodies reaffirmed commitment to unity, integrity, transparency and constructive engagement with NIDCOM for the interest of Nigerians in diaspora and national development.