Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), has raised concerns over the plight of over 5,000 Nigerians stranded in Iraq, the majority of whom are women sent to work as caregivers.
During a seminar in Lagos, Dabiri-Erewa revealed that many of these women faced harsh realities upon arrival, which contradicted the promises they had been given.
She cited the tragic story of a Nigerian woman who was sent to Iraq by her husband to work as a caregiver but sadly died under mysterious circumstances. The Nigerian Mission intervened by conducting an autopsy and ensuring her remains were repatriated.
“As of today, there are approximately 5,000 women stranded in Iraq. One woman’s tragic death followed her journey there, as her husband sent her to work as a caregiver,” Dabiri-Erewa stated.
Speaking at the seminar titled “Sensitization and Advocacy Program for Promoting Diaspora Investment Potentials in South-West Nigeria,” she emphasized the abundant untapped opportunities in Nigeria and encouraged citizens to reconsider irregular migration.
“Despite the challenges in Nigeria, there are substantial opportunities for investment, just as in any other country,” she noted.
Dabiri-Erewa also observed a growing trend among African Americans and the Nigerian diaspora, who are increasingly interested in reconnecting with their roots and investing in Nigeria.
“While some people may seek to migrate, many African Americans are now returning, tracing their roots, locating their ancestral villages, and expressing a desire to come back and invest in Nigeria,” she concluded.
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