Abike Dabiri-Erewa Warns Gambia’s Bank Staffing Order Could Displace 57 Nigerians

Abike Dabiri-Erewa has urged The Gambia’s central bank to reconsider a directive that could force 57 Nigerian banking professionals to leave their jobs. The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) chair described the move as deeply concerning, according to a statement issued by the commission. The directive, reportedly issued on September 16, 2026, requires banks operating in The Gambia to replace non-Gambian employees with qualified Gambian nationals by December 31 of that year. The affected workers are said to be employed at four banks of Nigerian origin and to hold valid residence and work permits. Dabiri-Erewa acknowledged The Gambia’s right to encourage local employment and strengthen its workforce. But she argued that the policy should also take account of existing employment arrangements and valid work authorisations, as well as regional cooperation and African solidarity. The commission’s statement, released in Abuja and signed by its head of media, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, also set out the banks’ importance to the Gambian financial sector. Together, it said, the institutions hold about 37.2 per cent of banking deposits, worth 35.3 billion Gambian dalasis, and account for 32.6 per cent of industry loans, valued at 7.67 billion dalasis. NiDCOM further said the four banks represent roughly 37 per cent of total banking assets, estimated at 44.78 billion dalasis, and about 34.5 per cent of investments in Central Bank bonds. The commission appealed for a reversal of the directive, warning that its enforcement could displace the Nigerian staff. The statement did not name the workers or specify how the central bank would respond.