Over 5,000 Nigerian women stranded in Iraq – Dabiri-Erewa
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), has revealed that more than 5,000 Nigerians are currently stranded in Iraq.
Many of these individuals, primarily women, were sent to Iraq to work as caregivers, only to face harsh realities upon arrival.
Dabiri-Erewa made this disclosure during a seminar in Lagos titled “Sensitisation and Advocacy Program for Promoting Diaspora Investment Potentials in South-West Nigeria,” which was organized by NIDCOM in collaboration with G-Consulting International Services Limited.
In her address to participants from the six South-Western states, Dabiri-Erewa emphasized the vast opportunities available in Nigeria, urging Nigerians to explore local prospects rather than migrate abroad in search of better prospects.
She shared a troubling case of a woman who had been sent to Iraq by her husband to work as a caregiver but tragically died under mysterious circumstances. The Nigerian Mission is currently helping to repatriate her body, with plans for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
“There are over 5,000 women stranded in Iraq today,” Dabiri-Erewa stated. “Just last week, I handled a case where a husband sent his wife to Iraq as a caregiver, and she died. Now, the husband is at a loss, not knowing how to bring her body back. We had to intervene, and the Nigerian High Commission is assisting in the process.”
She further explained that while Nigeria, like every other country, faces its own challenges, it also offers significant opportunities for investment. This, she said, is why the workshop was being held—to raise awareness about untapped opportunities within Nigeria and encourage Diaspora investment.
Dabiri-Erewa noted that while many Nigerians seek to leave the country in search of better opportunities, an increasing number of people in the Diaspora are reconnecting with their roots and considering returning to Nigeria to invest.
“Just yesterday, we received 14 individuals who traced their roots and discovered they were Nigerians. They had no idea where they came from, but now they want to learn about their heritage and invest back home,” she said. “While some people want to leave, many African Americans are eager to return and invest in Nigeria.”
Dabiri-Erewa stressed the importance of production in the economy, saying, “The issue is not just the dollar, but what we are producing. If we’re not producing anything, we have no reason to complain.” She called the workshop a platform to guide potential investors in Nigeria and facilitate the development of the nation’s economy through Diaspora involvement.
Godfrey Ajayi Sunday, Group Managing Director of G-Consulting, also spoke at the event, outlining the firm’s plans to mobilize over $100 million in funding to support participants interested in business ventures, particularly in real estate and agriculture. He emphasized the goal of presenting investment opportunities to those in the Diaspora to encourage financial contributions that could benefit both the Nigerian economy and the global Nigerian community.
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