NiDCOM Demands Reversal Of Gambian Order To Replace 57 Nigerian Bank Workers

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has urged the Central Bank of The Gambia to reverse its directive requiring banks to replace non-Gambian employees with qualified Gambian nationals, warning that the policy could displace 57 Nigerian professionals working in the country’s banking sector.

In a statement was signed by NiDCOM’s Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the directive as deeply concerning, particularly as the affected Nigerians reportedly possess valid residency and work permits.

The directive, reportedly issued by the Central Bank of The Gambia on September 16, 2026, gives banks until December 31 to replace existing non-Gambian employees with qualified Gambian nationals.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, November 3, NiDCOM acknowledged The Gambia’s right to prioritise local employment and strengthen its workforce but maintained that such policies must respect existing employment agreements, legitimate work authorisations and regional integration principles.

The commission said the 57 Nigerian professionals employed by four Nigerian-origin banks in The Gambia had contributed significantly to the country’s financial services industry.

It also drew attention to the economic importance of the four banks, which collectively account for 37.2 per cent of total banking industry deposits, valued at 35.3 billion Gambian dalasis.

According to NiDCOM, the institutions also account for 32.6 per cent of loans worth 7.67 billion dalasis and 37 per cent of total banking industry assets estimated at 44.78 billion dalasis.

The commission further disclosed that the banks represent approximately 34.5 per cent of investments in Central Bank bonds and reportedly provide 90 per cent of the funding supporting the operations of the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC).

Dabiri-Erewa warned that replacing qualified African professionals without due consideration for their existing employment status could undermine efforts to deepen economic cooperation and promote the free movement of people across the continent.

She described the development as contradictory to the objectives of African investment, regional economic cooperation and integration, particularly within the West African subregion.

NiDCOM called on the Gambian central bank to immediately reconsider and reverse the blanket directive, urging it to engage the Nigerian High Commission in Banjul, the affected financial institutions and other relevant stakeholders to find a fair resolution.

The commission also appealed to the Gambian authorities to respect the spirit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) integration framework and preserve the longstanding diplomatic and economic relationship between both countries.

It urged both governments to pursue constructive diplomatic engagement to resolve the matter without undermining the contributions of Nigerian professionals or disrupting existing economic partnerships.