The Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NiDO)-Worldwide has urged the Tenth National Assembly to enact a Diaspora Voting Bill to enable Nigerians living abroad to participate in future elections and contribute to the country’s democratic development.

The organisation also appealed to President Tinubu to support inclusive governance by assenting to the Bill once it is passed by the legislature.

The call was made in Abuja during a Walk for Diaspora Voting event organised by NiDO to press for greater inclusion of Nigerians abroad in the nation’s electoral process.

Speaking at the walk, Coordinating Chairman of NiDO-Worldwide, Mr Chibuzo Ubochi, argued that the Nigerian Constitution recognises the right of all citizens of voting age, including those in the diaspora, to register and vote.

“We are Nigerians living abroad. We bear names like Chibuzor, Ibrahim and Ade, eat Nigerian food and run Nigerian businesses wherever we are. So, why can’t we vote? We hold our green passport wherever we go and we are proud of our fatherland. One important thing from our past leaders in the country is that they support Diaspora Voting, so what is holding them back? This is because the National Assembly has yet to legislate it. This is why we are here—to tell them to do the right thing. Nigerians living abroad deserve to be part of the electoral process, especially at the prime of the ongoing Constitutional Review,” he said.

Former Coordinating Chairman of NiDO-Worldwide, Dr Victor Ubani, called on Nigeria’s President to set a historic precedent by signing the Bill when presented.

“We are calling on President Tinubu to listen to us. We appeal to the National Assembly to do the needful. It is not proper being treated as non-Nigerians. There is no way you will tell me that we are not Nigerians just because no one is listening to us. We are here to work closely with the National Assembly to build our nation to benefit our fatherland,” he said.

Global President of the National Association of Nigerian Students in Diaspora (NANS-DIASPORA), Chris Juwon Fayomi, praised the government’s efforts in sustaining democracy but said more needed to be done to ensure full diaspora participation.

“We have come from across several continents of the world to place demand on government towards legislation of Diaspora Voting. This is because no Nigerian will make the most democratic impact in fostering inclusivity of a 17 million population than the one who legislates Diaspora Voting,” Fayomi said.

NiDO is the umbrella body representing the interests and aspirations of Nigerians residing abroad.

PIAK

Renowned legislative governance expert and strategist, Dr Chibuzo Okereke, has been conferred with the prestigious Fellowship of the Institute of Strategic Management Nigeria (Chartered) – ISMNC, in recognition of his decades-long contributions to democratic development, youth leadership and policy innovation across Nigeria and Africa.

The investiture, which confers the Institute’s highest professional rank, was held during the 2025 ISMNC Annual Conference and 22nd Annual General Meeting in Port Harcourt, themed “Strategic Leadership in Disruptive Economy: Driving Sustainable National Development.”

Speaking shortly after his investiture, Dr Okereke described the recognition as a profound milestone in his professional journey.

“Being invested with the revered Fellowship status of the Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria (Chartered) marks a profound milestone in my professional journey, one for which I am deeply grateful to God Almighty, my family, and the Institute,” he said.

“Strategy comes naturally to me—it has always shaped my professional work, and attaining Fellowship status in both knowledge and practice is truly a dream fulfilled. As a Fellow of this distinguished Institute, I reaffirm my commitment to applying strategic thinking and leadership to strengthen Nigeria’s legislative processes, democratic governance, and policy environment for sustainable national development,” he added.

The honour marks a national affirmation of Dr Okereke’s influence on policy design, legislative innovation, and civic reform. As President of ERGAF-AFRICA Legislative Governance Innovation and Policy Lab, he has pioneered data-tech solutions that support committees of the National Assembly and sub-national legislatures.

Among his notable initiatives are the African Legislatures Deliberative Barometer & Productivity Index, Africa’s most comprehensive transparency and accountability tool for parliaments, and Nigeria’s first-ever Legislative Committees Horizontal Accountability and Productivity Index. He also facilitated the inaugural National Conference on Public Accounts and Fiscal Governance hosted by the National Assembly.

A 2018 recipient of the Nigerian Senate President’s Best Academic Excellence Award, Dr Okereke holds a PhD in Legislative Governance Studies from Federal University Lokoja, and two Master’s Degrees with Distinction in Public Administration (Baze University) and Legislative Governance (University of Benin/NILDS). He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), where he was Golden Jubilee SUG President.

An alumnus of the EU Inter Pares Legislative School, NIIA’s Foreign Policy School, and the Obama YALI Public Policy Track, Dr Okereke has played key roles in reform movements such as the #NotTooYoungToRun Bill, Electoral and Police Reforms, and campaigns for women’s political representation.

He is also founder of Project Hope Alive – Day of the African Child, and co-convener of the National Legislative Conference and National Youth Assembly Mock Parliament, advancing youth participation in public policy.

Dr Okereke’s growing influence as a thought leader extends across platforms like the BBC and national television, where he is widely consulted on governance and public policy issues.

The conferment of ISMNC Fellowship cements his role as a national thought leader in strategic governance and highlights the growing urgency of investing in visionary leadership as Nigeria navigates a volatile global economic and democratic landscape.

Other professionals invested as Fellows during the event include Deputy Commissioner of Police Toromade Francis, Permanent Secretary Fatima Sugra Mohammed, and over 20 others.

PIAK