The chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, says effective and efficient data mapping is critical to its engagements with citizens living abroad.

The NiDCOM chief said this on Monday in Abuja as the commission inaugurated the 2025 Comprehensive Data Mapping for Nigerians in Eurasia.

Ms Dabiri-Erewa also called on Nigerians across the Eurasia region to register on the commission’s data mapping portal, which is a significant step towards making diaspora voting a reality.

She emphasised that enabling Nigerians in the diaspora to vote has been a long-standing priority for NiDCOM.

“Every Nigerian of voting age, irrespective of location, deserves a voice in Nigeria’s democratic process, especially Nigerian diasporas, powerful agents of national development,” she said.

She stressed that one of the major setbacks to diaspora voting is the lack of credible data on Nigerians living abroad, hence the emphasis on registration on the portal.

Furthermore, with Eurasia as the commission’s focus on data mapping for the first quarter of 2025, Mrs Dabiri-Erewa describes the initiative as a major step towards stronger engagement with Nigerians in that region.

She commended the Council of Nigerian Association Presidents in Australia (CONAPA) for their collaboration and forward-thinking efforts to foster partnerships that benefit Nigeria and host countries.

The chairman expressed enthusiasm about participating in upcoming diaspora events in Eurasia while encouraging Nigerians there to spotlight their projects and achievements.

Jane Adams, acting Nigerian High Commissioner to Australia, described the initiative as timely and essential.

She affirmed that the mission was working closely with relevant agencies, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, to ensure Nigerians in the diaspora are treated with dignity and respect.

Abdulrahman Terab, head of NiDCOM’s Technology Transfer and Innovation (TTI) department, demonstrated the portal’s seamless and user-friendly design.

He explained that the data gathered will generate vital statistics, providing tailored solutions that address the unique needs of Nigerians abroad.

The Diaspora Data-Mapping Portal is a product of NiDCOM. Launched in 2021, the portal is designed to gather demographic information on Nigerians abroad to accurately profile and provide unique diaspora packages, such as diaspora mortgage schemes, diaspora housing, and much more. 

(NAN)