The Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has described as deeply worrisome the directive reportedly issued by the Central Bank of Gambia, CBG, on September 16, 2026, requiring banks to replace existing non-Gambian employees with qualified Gambian nationals by December 31, 2026.
Dabiri-Erewa expressed the concern in a statement issued by the Head, Media, Public Relations and Protocols of the Commission, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, on Monday, November 3, 2026, in Abuja.
While NiDCOM recognises Gambia's right to promote local employment and develop its workforce, the Commission said 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.
According to the statement, information available to the Commission indicates that 57 Nigerian professionals employed by four Nigerian-origin banks operating in The Gambia could be affected by the directive.
It added that the professionals reportedly hold valid residency and work permits and have contributed significantly to the Gambian banking sector.
The statement noted that the economic contributions of the four banks are equally significant, as collectively, they account for approximately 37.2 per cent of total banking industry deposits, GMD35.3 billion, 32.6 per cent of loans, GMD7.67 billion, and 37 per cent of industry assets, GMD44.78 billion.
“They also account for approximately 34.5 per cent of investments in Central Bank bonds and reportedly contributed 90 per cent of the funding supporting the operations of the National Water and Electricity Company, NAWEC,” the statement 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 Gambia to immediately reconsider and reverse the blanket replacement directive and engage the Nigerian High Commission in Banjul, affected financial institutions and relevant stakeholders towards an equitable resolution.
It also urged Gambian authorities to uphold the spirit of ECOWAS integration and the longstanding cordial relationship between Nigeria and The Gambia, while calling for constructive diplomatic engagement on the matter.
