A global advocacy group has criticised the Nigerian government for excluding Nigerians in the diaspora from proposed reserved seats in the National Assembly, despite their significant contributions to the nation’s economy and development.
The Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria (GCSDN) expressed disappointment following a recent announcement by the House of Representatives to allocate 82 parliamentary seats—55 in the House and 27 in the Senate—to women and persons with disabilities as part of ongoing constitutional reforms aimed at fostering inclusive governance.
The Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, had revealed the plan during the 2nd Legislative Open Week in Abuja, stating that the measure would help address gender imbalance and promote the inclusion of marginalized groups in national politics.
However, GCSDN argued that the deliberate omission of the diaspora population from this reform effort is a glaring oversight and a violation of equitable representation.
In a statement issued by its Global Coordinator, Comrade Frederick Odorige, the coalition described the action as a pattern of consistent neglect of Nigerians living abroad, who continue to remit billions of dollars annually to the country.
The group called for the reservation of at least 20 seats—four from each continent—for diaspora Nigerians to ensure fair representation and participation in legislative processes.
Odorige also criticized the government’s failure to establish the board of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), as mandated by law, which was supposed to include 12 representatives from the diaspora community.
Citing examples from other African countries, GCSDN noted that nations such as Senegal, Algeria, and Angola have already made legislative provisions for overseas citizens, with multiple seats reserved in their national parliaments and voting rights granted to citizens abroad.
For instance, Senegal has eight diaspora constituencies, Algeria reserves eight parliamentary seats, and Angola allocates three seats for overseas representation.
The coalition further decried the lack of appointments of diaspora Nigerians in President Bola Tinubu’s administration, despite many current government officials having once lived abroad themselves.
It also condemned the recent suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs, describing it as another blow to diaspora inclusion.
GCSDN concluded by questioning the continued marginalization of Nigerians abroad and called on the government to recognize and integrate their voices in national decision-making.
“For how long must the Nigerian government disregard, undermine, and humiliate the goose that lays the golden eggs?” the statement queried.
