Muslim Diaspora Forum: NiDCOM Seeks Joint Action Against Discrimination, Misinformation
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has called for coordinated action among Muslim diaspora communities across the world to combat discrimination, hate speech and misinformation, while strengthening their contributions to development.
Dabiri-Erewa made the call at the First Muslim Diaspora Forum in Ankara, Türkiye, where representatives from more than 47 countries gathered to discuss shared challenges and opportunities under the theme, “From Roots to Routes.”
Representing Nigeria at the forum, which was declared open by Türkiye’s Vice President, Cevdet Yılmaz, the NiDCOM boss argued that diaspora engagement must extend beyond the traditional emphasis on remittances to include skills transfer, investment, innovation, humanitarian assistance and cultural exchange.
In her presentation, titled “Unity in the Diaspora: Current Needs, Common Solutions,” she said the common challenges confronting diaspora communities required collective responses and stronger international partnerships.
She identified public communication, humanitarian initiatives and joint efforts against discrimination and hate speech as areas where Muslim diaspora organisations could collaborate more effectively.
Dabiri-Erewa said NiDCOM had continued to provide Nigerians abroad with accurate information, promote positive narratives and counter misinformation, while supporting Nigerians affected by crises and vulnerable migrants.
She also highlighted the contributions of Nigerians in the diaspora through medical missions, educational projects, philanthropy and other development initiatives, stressing that their impact could not be measured solely by financial remittances.
According to her, migration should not sever the relationship between citizens and their countries of origin, but should create opportunities for them to remain connected and contribute to national development.
She said the shared needs of diaspora communities—including dignity, safety, opportunity and freedom to practise their faith—demanded common solutions.
Dabiri-Erewa further disclosed that Nigeria would strengthen international cooperation on diaspora affairs and deepen relations with participating countries to harness the skills, knowledge, investments, culture and diplomatic influence of its citizens abroad.
On the sidelines of the forum, she held meetings with Fuad Muradov, Chairman of Azerbaijan’s State Committee on Diaspora Affairs; Sayed Ahmed, who heads Sudan’s diaspora organisation; and Zahra Zumrut, Director-General of the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC).
The discussions focused on exchanging experiences, strengthening institutional relationships and exploring areas of cooperation in diaspora affairs and development.
She also met with Ahmet Alemdar, Vice President of Türkiye’s Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), where both sides reviewed the Memorandum of Understanding between NiDCOM and YTB.
The meeting emphasised the need to move beyond the signing of the agreement and develop concrete programmes in diaspora engagement, knowledge exchange, youth development and bilateral cooperation.
Alemdar called for the identification and implementation of specific projects that Nigeria and Türkiye could undertake jointly to deepen cooperation and deliver measurable benefits to their diaspora communities.
The forum’s communique, which stressed the need to sustain the theme and gains of the summit, was presented by the programme liaison, Ali Fahad, a Turkish-Nigerian.
The gathering marked the first Muslim Diaspora Forum and provided a platform for participating countries to exchange experiences and consider coordinated approaches to issues affecting their citizens abroad.
