- NiDCOM revealed over 5,000 Nigerian women are stranded in Iraq, facing harsh conditions after being sent as caregivers
- Abike Dabiri-Erewa highlighted a tragic case of a woman who died in Iraq after being sent to work as a caregiver
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has revealed that over 5,000 Nigerian women are currently stranded in Iraq.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Commission, explained that these women had been sent to Iraq as caregivers, only to find themselves stranded in the country.
Dabiri-Erewa shared this information in Lagos during the “Sensitization and Advocacy Program for Promoting Diaspora Investment Potentials in South-West Nigeria” seminar, organized by NiDCOM in partnership with G-Consulting International Services Limited.
She highlighted a tragic case where a husband sent his wife to Iraq to work as a caregiver, but the woman mysteriously died.
The Nigerian Mission is now assisting in bringing her body back to Nigeria after performing an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Dabiri-Erewa expressed concern over the situation, stating, “As I speak with you today, there are about 5,000 women stranded in Iraq. I just dealt with a case last week.
A husband sent his wife to Iraq to be a caregiver, and she’s dead. Now the husband doesn’t know where to start to bring the body back.”
She pointed out that while Nigeria faces its challenges, it also offers vast investment opportunities, urging Nigerians to explore these possibilities at home instead of seeking a better life abroad.
“This is why we are having this workshop,” she continued. “There’s no point in seeking a better life only to die. We want to show that there are opportunities in Nigeria.”
She further stated that the seminar would be replicated nationwide to educate participants on untapped investment prospects in Nigeria.
Dabiri-Erewa also highlighted a growing trend of diaspora Nigerians tracing their roots to the country. She shared an example of 14 people who recently discovered their Nigerian heritage through DNA tests and are now eager to return and invest in their ancestral land.
The Chairman stressed the importance of encouraging investment across all Nigerian regions, noting, “There is no region in Nigeria that doesn’t have something to offer.”
Dr. Godfrey Ajayi Sunday, Group Managing Director of G-Consulting, stated that the firm plans to mobilize over $100 million in funding to support participants interested in partnering with the diaspora for business ventures.
He emphasized that sectors such as real estate and agriculture offer vast investment opportunities.
Other facilitators urged participants to abandon the idea of irregular migration and instead focus on tapping into the wealth of opportunities available in Nigeria.
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