House Launches App To Boost Communication With Nigerians Abroad

As part of a broader effort to strengthen diaspora engagement and streamline government services, the House of Representatives has launched a new app to improve communication with Nigerians living abroad.

The initiative, known as the Nigerians in Diaspora Response System, NiDRes, was introduced during the First Nigerian Stakeholders Engagement on Diaspora Governance (NiDSEDiG 2025) held in Abuja.

Speaker of the House, Dr Abbas Tajudeen said the app will help the government respond more swiftly to the needs of Nigerians overseas, including consular assistance, emergencies, and welfare issues.

Represented by the Lawmaker representing Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency, of Akwa Ibom State, Dr Patrick Umoh, Dr Abbass described the diaspora community as a vital part of Nigeria’s social, economic, and diplomatic strength.

He noted that Nigerians abroad contribute not only through remittances but also through innovation, diplomacy, trade, and humanitarian initiatives that “project Nigeria as a country of excellence and enterprise.”

The Speaker said the House would work with NiDCOM and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to simplify passport and consular services, improve emergency response systems, and expand digital access to government services.

“Legislative efforts are currently being reinforced to simplify consular immigration and documentation procedures to ensure that Nigerians living overseas have easier and faster access to the support and services they require from government missions.

“This includes improvements in passport processing from government missions, emergency consular responses, and digital access to official services.

“The House seeks to remove bureaucratic bottlenecks that often frustrate Nigerians abroad, replacing them with systems that reflect transparency, efficiency, and responsiveness in line with modern public service standards”.

Chairman of the House Committee on Diaspora, Tochukwu Okere, said NiDRes was developed to bridge the communication gap between the government and Nigerians abroad.

“This tool provides real-time reporting, emergency assistance, and access to verified services all in one place,” “It allows users to report incidents, track case progress, and connect directly with embassies or missions through a secure platform.”

He explained that NiDRes would also feature a directory of embassies, legal services, emergency contacts, and opportunities for skills exchange, mentorship, and investment. Users will be able to verify their identity, protect their data, and access government resources from any location.

Mr Okere also stated that the First, Nigerian Stakeholders Engagement on Diaspora Governance (NiDSEDiG 2025) is all about bringing together policies, institutions, and technology to create a unified approach to diaspora governance.

According to him, the initiative hopes to align laws, government actions, and state-level efforts for better coordination on diaspora matters.

NiDCOM Chairperson Abike Dabiri-Erewa welcomed the initiative, calling it “a long-awaited solution” to the challenges faced by Nigerians overseas.

“What we’ve always struggled with is communication,” she said. “With this app being developed by the House and handed to NiDCOM to manage, we can now respond to issues faster and more transparently.”

Dabiri-Erewa also disclosed that NiDCOM had opened a data portal to facilitate diaspora voting, saying the system would help define who qualifies as a legal Nigerian resident abroad and ensure credible participation when the process begins.

Stakeholders at the engagement including representatives of the diplomatic corps, diaspora organizations, civil society groups, and development partners discussed improving diaspora representation in governance, encouraging remittances into productive sectors, and promoting partnerships between Nigerian professionals at home and abroad.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji