The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has expressed deep concern over a directive reportedly issued by the Central Bank of The Gambia requiring banks to replace non-Gambian employees with qualified Gambian nationals by December 31, 2026.
The directive, reportedly issued on September 16, 2026, is expected to affect 57 Nigerian professionals working in four Nigerian-origin banks operating in The Gambia.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the development as deeply worrisome, warning that its implementation could undermine African solidarity, regional integration and legitimate employment arrangements.
In a statement signed by the Commission’s Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM acknowledged The Gambia’s right to promote local employment and develop its workforce but stressed that such policies must respect existing employment arrangements and valid work authorisations.
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The Commission noted that the affected Nigerian professionals reportedly possess valid residency and work permits and have made significant contributions to The Gambian banking sector.
Providing details of the banks’ economic contributions, NiDCOM disclosed that the four financial institutions collectively account for approximately 37.2 per cent of total banking industry deposits, valued at 35.3 billion Gambian dalasi, and 32.6 per cent of industry loans, estimated at 7.67 billion dalasi.
They also account for about 37 per cent of the banking industry’s total assets, valued at 44.78 billion dalasi, while contributing approximately 34.5 per cent of investments in Central Bank bonds.
According to the Commission, the banks reportedly provide 90 per cent of the funding supporting the operations of the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC).
NiDCOM described it as contradictory for African countries to encourage continental investment, regional economic cooperation and the free movement of people while adopting employment policies that could result in the displacement of qualified African professionals.
The Commission therefore called on the Central Bank of The Gambia to immediately reconsider and reverse the blanket replacement directive.
It also urged the Gambian financial regulator to engage the Nigerian High Commission in Banjul, the affected financial institutions and other relevant stakeholders to achieve an equitable resolution.
NiDCOM further called on Gambian authorities to uphold the spirit of ECOWAS integration and the longstanding cordial relationship between Nigeria and The Gambia.
It stressed the need for constructive diplomatic engagement to resolve the matter in a manner that protects the interests of affected Nigerian professionals while strengthening bilateral relations between both countries.
