The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has called on The Gambia’s Central Bank to reverse a directive reportedly requiring banks operating in the country to replace non-Gambian employees with qualified Gambian nationals by December 31, 2026.
NiDCOM Chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the directive as concerning, warning that its implementation could affect 57 Nigerian professionals working in four Nigerian-origin banks operating in The Gambia.
In a statement, the commission acknowledged The Gambia’s right to promote local employment and develop its workforce but stressed that such policies should respect existing employment agreements, valid work authorisations and the principles of African solidarity and regional integration.
According to the commission, the affected Nigerian professionals reportedly possess valid residency and work permits and have made significant contributions to the Gambian banking sector.
NiDCOM also highlighted the economic contributions of the four banks, stating that they collectively account for approximately 37.2 per cent of total banking industry deposits, valued at GMD35.3 billion, and 32.6 per cent of loans, estimated at GMD7.67 billion.
The banks reportedly account for 37 per cent of the industry’s total assets, valued at GMD44.78 billion, as well as 34.5 per cent of investments in Central Bank bonds.
The commission further claimed that the banks contributed about 90 per cent of the funding supporting the operations of the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC).
NiDCOM argued that policies capable of displacing qualified African professionals could undermine efforts to promote African investment, regional economic cooperation and the free movement of people across the continent.
It therefore urged the Gambian Central Bank to reconsider and reverse what it described as a blanket replacement directive.
The commission also called for immediate engagement between the Central Bank, the Nigerian High Commission in Banjul, affected financial institutions and other relevant stakeholders to reach an equitable resolution.
NiDCOM further appealed to Gambian authorities to uphold the principles of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) integration framework and maintain the longstanding cordial relationship between Nigeria and The Gambia.
The commission advocated constructive diplomatic engagement to resolve the matter without undermining regional cooperation or the contributions of Nigerian professionals in The Gambia.
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