ABUJA: Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the House of Representatives has expressed readiness to ensure the speedy passage of the Diaspora Voting Rights Bill currently before the National Assembly.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, represented by Hon. Dr. Patrick Umoh, gave the assurance during a stakeholders’ engagement and the official launch of the Diaspora Response Application Web organized by the House Committee on Diaspora on Monday in Abuja.
Abbas noted that Nigerians living abroad remain key contributors to the country’s development, stressing that their creativity, achievements and remittances have continued to boost national growth.
The House recognizes the important role Nigerians in the Diaspora play in our national development. Beyond their remittances, their innovation and patriotism continue to inspire us toward greater achievements, he said.
The Speaker added that the 10th House of Assembly would prioritize Diaspora development, assuring that the long-awaited Diaspora Voting Rights Bill would be given accelerated consideration before the next general elections.
He described the bill as a major step toward deepening Nigeria’s democratic process and fostering inclusion for citizens abroad.
In his remarks, Chairman of the House Committee on Diaspora, Hon. Chinedu Okere, explained that the stakeholders’ engagement was convened to harmonise policies, institutions and technology aimed at strengthening Diaspora governance.
Okere disclosed that the Committee is in consultation with relevant stakeholders to fast-track the bill’s passage before the second quarter of 2026.
A key highlight of the event was the launch of the Diaspora Response Application Web, jointly unveiled by the Committee and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).
