The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has raised concerns that 57 Nigerian professionals employed by four Nigerian-origin banks in The Gambia could lose their jobs following a directive by the country’s central bank to replace certain foreign workers with Gambian nationals.
NiDCOM Chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the directive as “deeply worrisome” in a statement shared on her X handle on Tuesday.
The concern follows a September 16, 2026, circular by the Central Bank of The Gambia, directing commercial banks to replace non-Gambian employees who are not covered by approved expatriate quotas with qualified Gambians by December 31, 2026.
The directive affects all commercial banks operating in the country, including Nigerian-origin lenders such as Access Bank, FirstBank, Guaranty Trust Bank and Zenith Bank.
Dabiri-Erewa said information available to the commission indicated that 57 Nigerian professionals working in the four banks could be affected. She added that the 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, the NiDCOM chairman urged the authorities to implement such policies fairly, with due regard for existing employment arrangements and valid work authorisations.
She also highlighted the banks’ contributions to the Gambian economy, saying they collectively account for 37.2 per cent of industry deposits, valued at 35.3 billion dalasis, and 32.6 per cent of loans worth 7.67 billion dalasis.
According to her, the banks also account for 37 per cent of the sector’s assets, valued at 44.78 billion dalasis, and 34.5 per cent of investments in Central Bank bonds. She further said they reportedly provide 90 per cent of the funding supporting the operations of the National Water and Electricity Company.
Dabiri-Erewa argued that the directive could undermine African investment, regional economic cooperation and the free movement of people, calling on the Gambian central bank to reconsider and reverse what she described as a blanket replacement order.
She urged the regulator to engage the Nigerian High Commission in Banjul, the affected banks and other stakeholders to find an equitable solution, while calling on Gambian authorities to uphold ECOWAS integration and the cordial relations between both countries.
The Central Bank of The Gambia had said the directive followed an industry-wide review which identified a high number of foreign employees working outside formally approved expatriate quotas. It cited the country’s Labour Act 2023 and Guideline 9 on expatriate employment in the banking industry as the basis for its decision.
