NiDCOM Tackles Gambia Over Directive Threatening Jobs of 57 Nigerians

Abike Dabiri-Erewa says 57 Nigerian banking professionals risk losing their jobs under a Central Bank of The Gambia policy requiring banks to replace non-Gambian employees by December 31

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has urged the Central Bank of The Gambia to reconsider its directive on foreign employees in the banking sector, warning that 57 Nigerian professionals could lose their jobs if the policy is fully implemented.

Also read: Nigerians Demand Permanent Passport Office in Manchester

NiDCOM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the directive as deeply worrisome in a statement issued on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, by the commission’s spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun.

The directive, dated September 16, requires commercial banks operating in The Gambia to adopt a phased approach to replacing non-Gambian employees with suitably qualified Gambian nationals.

The transition is expected to be completed by December 31, 2026.

According to NiDCOM, the affected Nigerians work in four Nigerian-origin banks operating in the West African country and reportedly hold valid residence and work permits.

Dabiri-Erewa acknowledged The Gambia’s right to promote local employment and strengthen its workforce but argued that the policy should respect existing employment arrangements and legitimate work authorisations.

She also raised concerns about its implications for regional economic cooperation and the free movement of people within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

“It is contradictory to encourage African investment and regional cooperation while displacing qualified African professionals,” she said.

The commission further highlighted the contribution of the four Nigerian-origin banks to The Gambia’s financial sector, arguing that their operations play a significant role in the country’s economy.

According to NiDCOM, the institutions collectively control 37.2 per cent of total banking deposits, valued at 35.3 billion Gambian dalasis, and account for 32.6 per cent of loans worth 7.67 billion dalasis.

They also represent 37 per cent of the industry’s assets, valued at 44.78 billion dalasis, while accounting for 34.5 per cent of investments in Central Bank bonds.

The commission added that the banks provide about 90 per cent of the funding for the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC).

NiDCOM argued that the potential displacement of experienced Nigerian professionals could undermine the contribution of African businesses to regional investment and economic development.

It therefore called on the Central Bank of The Gambia to reverse what it described as a blanket replacement directive and engage the Nigerian High Commission in Banjul, affected financial institutions and other relevant stakeholders to find an amicable resolution.

However, the Gambian regulator has presented the policy as an effort to enforce local labour and expatriate employment requirements.

In its September 16 circular, signed by Second Deputy Governor Dr Paul J. Mendy, the Central Bank said an industry-wide review had identified a relatively high number of non-Gambian employees working in banks in addition to staff recognised under approved expatriate arrangements.

The regulator said the situation violated provisions of The Gambia’s Labour Act 2023 and was inconsistent with Guideline 9 governing expatriate employment in the banking industry.

It directed banks to replace affected foreign employees with suitably qualified Gambians while making appropriate arrangements for skills transfer and continuity of operations.

The policy applies across commercial banks operating in The Gambia, including subsidiaries of Nigerian financial institutions. It is not limited to the four banks whose Nigerian employees NiDCOM says could be affected.

The development has raised questions about how the regulator intends to balance local employment priorities with the continued participation of foreign professionals who possess valid work authorisations.

NiDCOM has called on Gambian authorities to uphold the principles of ECOWAS integration and the longstanding cordial relationship between Nigeria and The Gambia.

Also read: Lagos Targets $50bn Climate Investment, Unveils 300 Projects

With the December 31 deadline approaching, further engagement between both countries and the affected financial institutions could prove important in determining how the directive is implemented and whether the concerns raised by NiDCOM can be addressed.