The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has raised concerns over a directive by the Central Bank of The Gambia requiring banks operating in the country to replace non-Gambian employees with qualified Gambian nationals by December 31, 2026, warning that the policy could displace 57 Nigerian professionals despite their valid work and residency permits.
The directive, reportedly issued on September 16, 2026, has raised concerns about the treatment of Nigerian professionals working in The Gambia, particularly as Nigerian-origin banks account for a significant share of the country’s banking sector and provide substantial financing to its economy.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, described the development as deeply worrisome, arguing that efforts to promote local employment should not undermine existing employment arrangements, legitimate work authorisations and regional economic integration.
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According to the commission, information available to it indicates that 57 Nigerian professionals working in four Nigerian-origin banks operating in The Gambia could be affected by the directive.
According to a statement by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols at NiDCOM, the affected professionals possess valid residency and work permits and have contributed to the development of the Gambian banking industry.
NiDCOM’s intervention comes amid growing concerns over the potential economic and diplomatic implications of the directive, particularly its implications for Nigerian investments and the movement of skilled professionals within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The commission argued that while The Gambia has the sovereign right to promote employment opportunities for its citizens and develop local capacity, such objectives should be pursued through policies that recognise the contributions of existing foreign professionals and respect established employment agreements.
Collectively, the institutions account for approximately 37.2 per cent of total banking industry deposits, valued at 35.3 billion Gambian dalasis (GMD), while their combined loans represent 32.6 per cent of industry lending, estimated at GMD7.67 billion.
They also account for about 37 per cent of total banking industry assets, valued at GMD44.78 billion, underscoring their importance to financial intermediation and economic activities in the country.
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Beyond their contributions to banking, the four institutions reportedly account for approximately 34.5 per cent of investments in Central Bank of The Gambia bonds.
NiDCOM further disclosed that the banks contributed about 90 per cent of the funding supporting the operations of the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC), the country’s state-owned utility provider.
The commission said these contributions raised questions about the implications of implementing an employment policy that could affect professionals working in institutions that play such a significant role in the Gambian economy.
It warned that policies encouraging African investment, cross-border business expansion and regional economic cooperation should not be accompanied by measures that could lead to the indiscriminate displacement of qualified African professionals.
The commission also linked the issue to the broader objectives of ECOWAS integration, which seeks to promote cooperation among member states and facilitate the movement of people, skills, services and capital across the region.
NiDCOM maintained that African countries should pursue local workforce development without creating unnecessary barriers for skilled professionals from other African countries, particularly those who have fulfilled the legal requirements for working in their host countries.
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It therefore called on the Central Bank of The Gambia to immediately reconsider and reverse what it described as a blanket replacement directive.
The commission also urged the Gambian monetary authorities to engage the Nigerian High Commission in Banjul, the affected financial institutions and other relevant stakeholders to find an equitable resolution that protects the interests of both countries.
It further called on Gambian authorities to uphold the spirit of ECOWAS integration and the longstanding cordial relationship between Nigeria and The Gambia.
NiDCOM said constructive diplomatic engagement remained necessary to prevent the matter from escalating into a broader dispute affecting bilateral relations, Nigerian businesses and professionals living and working in The Gambia.
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