NiDCOM says 57 Nigerian banking professionals risk losing their jobs over The Gambia’s December 31 replacement directive.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has called on the Central Bank of The Gambia to reverse a directive requiring banks to replace non-Gambian employees with qualified Gambian nationals by December 31, 2026.
NiDCOM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the directive, reportedly issued on September 16, 2026, as deeply worrisome, warning that its implementation could affect 57 Nigerian professionals working in four Nigerian-origin banks in The Gambia.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, Dabiri-Erewa said the affected professionals reportedly held valid residency and work permits and had made significant contributions to the Gambian banking sector.
She said, “While NiDCOM recognises Gambia’s right to promote local employment and develop its workforce, such policies must be implemented fairly and in a manner that respects existing employment arrangements, legitimate work authorisations and the principles of African solidarity and regional integration.”
The Commission also highlighted the economic contributions of the four banks, which collectively account for approximately 37.2 per cent of total banking industry deposits, valued at 35.3 billion Gambian dalasis, and 32.6 per cent of loans, amounting to 7.67 billion dalasis.
According to NiDCOM, the banks also account for 37 per cent of the industry’s total assets, valued at 44.78 billion dalasis, and approximately 34.5 per cent of investments in Central Bank bonds.
The Commission further stated that the banks reportedly contributed 90 per cent of the funding supporting the operations of the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC).
NiDCOM expressed concern that the directive could undermine African investment, regional economic cooperation and the free movement of people by displacing qualified African professionals.
It said, “NiDCOM considers it contradictory to encourage African investment, regional economic cooperation and the free movement of people while adopting employment measures that could lead to the indiscriminate 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 monetary authority to engage 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 ECOWAS integration and the longstanding cordial relationship between Nigeria and The Gambia.
