The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has urged the Central Bank of The Gambia to reverse a directive reportedly requiring banks to replace non-Gambian employees with qualified Gambian nationals by December 31, 2026.
NiDCOM Chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the directive as worrisome, warning that its implementation could lead to the displacement of 57 Nigerian professionals working in four Nigerian-origin banks operating in the country.
Dabiri-Erewa made the position known in a statement shared on her official X account, noting that the affected Nigerian workers reportedly hold valid residency and work permits and have made significant contributions to The Gambia's banking sector.
While acknowledging The Gambia's right to promote local employment and develop its workforce, she argued that such policies should respect existing employment arrangements, legitimate work authorisations and the principles of African solidarity and regional integration.
She 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 (GMD).
According to the statement, the banks also account for 32.6 per cent of industry loans, valued at GMD7.67 billion, and 37 per cent of total banking assets, estimated at GMD44.78 billion.
The institutions reportedly contribute about 34.5 per cent of investments in Central Bank bonds and provide 90 per cent of the funding supporting the operations of the National Water and Electricity Company.
The NiDCOM chairman argued that the directive appeared inconsistent with efforts to promote African investment, regional economic cooperation and the free movement of people across the continent.
“It is 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,” she said.
Dabiri-Erewa called on the Gambian Central Bank to immediately reconsider and reverse what she described as a blanket replacement directive.
She also urged the authorities to engage the Nigerian High Commission in Banjul, affected financial institutions and other relevant stakeholders to find an equitable resolution.
The commission further called on Gambian authorities to uphold the principles of ECOWAS integration and the longstanding cordial relationship between Nigeria and The Gambia.
It advocated constructive diplomatic engagement between both countries to address the concerns surrounding the directive.
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