Speaker of the house of representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has announced that the federal government is advancing on the diaspora voting bill, which seeks to grant Nigerians living abroad the constitutional right to vote in national elections.
Tajudeen made the disclosure on Monday, October 27, while declaring open the first Nigerian Stakeholders’ Engagement on Diaspora Governance (NiSEDiG 2025) and launching the Nigerians in Diaspora Response (NiDRes) app and website in Abuja.
The event was jointly organized by the house committee on diaspora and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) to strengthen collaboration and harness the potential of Nigerians abroad for national development.
Represented by Patrick Umoh (APC, Akwa Ibom), the speaker described the proposed bill as “a significant step toward deepening democratic participation and ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of location, contributes to nation-building.”
He reaffirmed that the 10th house of representatives prioritizes diaspora engagement as part of its legislative agenda focused on inclusion, accountability, and economic reform, adding that Nigerians abroad remain key partners in the country’s democratic and economic advancement.
“The house of representatives recognizes the vital and irreplaceable role Nigerians abroad play in building the nation’s image and sustaining its economy,” Tajudeen said.
“Beyond remittances, their involvement in innovation, trade, diplomacy, and humanitarian causes has reinforced Nigeria’s reputation as a contributor to global development.”
Diaspora voting has been a recurring issue in Nigeria’s democratic discourse for nearly two decades.
The idea gained national attention during the administration of former president Olusegun Obasanjo in 2005, when a constitutional amendment was first proposed to allow Nigerians abroad to participate in presidential and parliamentary elections.
However, multiple attempts since then have failed at the constitution review stage largely due to concerns about logistics, funding, and the credibility of overseas voting.
The 9th national assembly rejected a bill to amend section 77(2) of the 1999 constitution, which would have allowed Nigerians outside the country to vote, citing fears that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lacked the capacity to manage the process securely.
The 10th national assembly is now seeking to revive the process, with renewed support from INEC, the ministry of foreign affairs, and NiDCOM.
Although previous attempts failed at the constitution review stage, Tajudeen said legislative efforts are ongoing to simplify procedures and legal frameworks to make it a reality.
He said the house is working closely with relevant committees and the INEC to lay the groundwork for a credible and transparent system that would enable eligible Nigerians in the diaspora to vote in future general elections.
NiDCOM chairperson, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, affirmed the readiness of the commission to support the legislative process.
She revealed that a data portal has already been opened to streamline diaspora registration and ensure only verified residents abroad participate.
“We want to ensure that beyond remittances are a catalyst for holistic growth in Nigeria. We are talking about 17 million Nigerians in the diaspora,” Dabiri-Erewa said.
One of the highlights of the event was the launch of the NiDRes app and website, a digital platform designed to address long-standing communication barriers between the Nigerian government and its citizens abroad.
Chairperson of the house committee on diaspora, Tochukwu Okere (LP, Imo), said the innovation marks a turning point on how the government engages, protects, and responds to the needs of Nigerians living overseas.
According to him, the NiDRes app provides real-time emergency support, case tracking, and verified access to consular services.
It also includes embassy directories, legal aid, volunteering opportunities, and investment boards for vetted projects.
Okere said, “It offers exciting features like: Real-time reporting of incidents and a helpdesk for emergencies, consular needs, or welfare issues. Clear tracking of cases, with timelines for updates and resolutions, visible to users, agencies, and missions. Secure profiles that verify identities, allow controlled data sharing, and prioritize privacy from the start.”
The NiDRes initiative, he explained, is part of the broader NiSEDiG 2025 strategy, a coordinated national framework that brings together laws, institutions, and digital tools to improve diaspora governance and development planning.
Speaker Tajudeen reaffirmed the house’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the executive through NiDCOM and other relevant agencies to protect the welfare of citizens abroad.
He said the 10th house is reinforcing legislative efforts to simplify consular, immigration, and documentation procedures, while removing bureaucratic bottlenecks that frustrate Nigerians in foreign missions.
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