The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has protested against a directive by the Central Bank of The Gambia requiring banks in the country to replace non-Gambian employees with Gambian nationals, warning that the policy threatens the jobs of 57 Nigerian professionals.
The commission described the directive, issued on September 16, 2026, as deeply concerning, particularly because the affected Nigerians are reportedly employed by four Nigerian-owned banks and possess valid residency and work permits.
Under the directive, the Central Bank of The Gambia (CBG) gave financial institutions until December 31, 2026, to replace all foreign employees with Gambian citizens.
NiDCOM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the decision could undermine the employment rights of qualified Nigerian professionals working legally in the West African country.
Her position was contained in a statement issued by the commission’s spokesman, Abdur-Rahman Balogun.
NiDCOM drew attention to the economic importance of the four Nigerian-owned banks whose employees could be affected by the directive.
According to the commission, the banks collectively control 37.2 per cent of total deposits in The Gambia, valued at 35.3 billion Gambian dalasis (GMD).
They also account for 32.6 per cent of the country’s banking-sector loans, amounting to GMD7.67 billion, and 37 per cent of industry assets valued at GMD44.78 billion.
The commission further disclosed that the institutions account for 34.5 per cent of investments in Central Bank bonds and provide 90 per cent of the funding for the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC).
NiDCOM said these figures demonstrate the significant role played by the Nigerian-owned financial institutions in the Gambian economy and the importance of maintaining a stable operating environment for businesses and their employees.
While acknowledging The Gambia’s right to promote employment opportunities for its citizens, Dabiri-Erewa argued that such policies should take into consideration existing employment contracts, valid work permits and regional agreements governing the movement of people within West Africa.
She maintained that efforts to increase local employment should not disregard the rights and contributions of qualified professionals from other African countries who are legally employed.
“It is contradictory to encourage African investment and regional cooperation while displacing qualified African professionals,” she said.
Her comments reflect concerns about the potential implications of the directive for regional economic integration, particularly under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) framework, which promotes the free movement of citizens among member states.
The commission has urged the Central Bank of The Gambia to reconsider and reverse the blanket directive, calling for dialogue with relevant stakeholders to prevent the affected Nigerian workers from losing their jobs.
It specifically appealed to the Gambian authorities to engage the Nigerian High Commission in Banjul, alongside the affected financial institutions and other relevant stakeholders, to find an amicable solution.
NiDCOM also called on The Gambia to uphold the principles of ECOWAS integration and preserve the longstanding diplomatic and economic relationship between both countries.
The development has raised broader questions about the balance between national employment policies and regional commitments to economic cooperation, especially as African countries seek to encourage cross-border investment, trade and professional mobility.
For the 57 Nigerian professionals facing possible displacement, the outcome of discussions between the two governments and the Gambian banking authorities could determine whether they retain their positions beyond the December 31 deadline.
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