The Diaspora arm of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Middle East and parts of Asia has held its first regional meeting, bringing together party executives and members from several countries to discuss the growth of the organisation, increased participation of Nigerians in the diaspora and preparations for the political activities ahead. The virtual meeting, which took place on Friday, August 7, 2026, commenced at exactly 5:00 p.m. Nigerian time and featured representatives of the NDC Middle East regional executive, country executives from Saudi Arabia and Qatar, as well as members from Thailand and other countries across the region.
The meeting marked an important step in strengthening coordination among NDC supporters living outside Nigeria, particularly in regions that are sometimes overlooked in broader discussions about the Nigerian diaspora. Participants included members from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Thailand and other countries, while representatives from some chapters, including Indonesia, Malaysia and Oman, were unable to participate because of differences in time zones and scheduling. Despite their absence, the meeting acknowledged that these countries remain important parts of the NDC’s growing diaspora structure in the region.
According to discussions during the meeting, the NDC’s presence currently extends across several countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. While the level of activity and commitment varies from country to country, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Malaysia and Thailand were identified as among the areas where the organisation has recorded stronger participation and more visible structures. Participants stressed the need to build on these existing structures while expanding the party’s reach to Nigerians living in other parts of the region.
The meeting opened with an address by the Chairman of the NDC Saudi Arabia chapter, Dr Ben Chukwu who also serves as the Coordinator of the NDC Diaspora Middle East Region. In his remarks, he emphasised the importance of recognising Nigerians living in the Middle East as an integral part of the Nigerian diaspora community and national political conversation.
He noted that discussions about Nigerians in the diaspora often focus heavily on communities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Europe and other Western countries, sometimes overlooking the significant number of Nigerians living and working across the Middle East and Asia. He argued that Nigerians in the region have an important role to play in national affairs because many of them have spent considerable periods of their lives in Nigeria and remain deeply connected to developments in the country.
The chairman maintained that Nigerians residing in countries across the Middle East should be recognised as an important constituency within the broader diaspora community. He stressed that many of these Nigerians live in environments where institutional systems function differently from those in Nigeria and therefore have experiences and perspectives that can contribute meaningfully to national discussions.
He also called on members of the Nigerian communities in the region to become more organised and actively participate in the activities of the diaspora structure. According to him, the period ahead requires greater commitment, stronger coordination and increased participation from Nigerians who share an interest in the country’s future.
DDM News reports that the chairman particularly encouraged members to take their organisational responsibilities seriously, participate whenever meetings and activities are scheduled, and support legitimate activities being undertaken by the party and its structures in Nigeria. He further stressed the importance of building stronger membership networks across the Middle East so that the region would have the human and organisational capacity required to contribute effectively to future activities.
During the chairman’s address, the Director-General of the NDC Diaspora, Princess Mariam Tolafari, joined the meeting. Her appearance was welcomed by members, and she greeted participants with the party’s familiar slogan, “NDC Service.” She subsequently delivered brief remarks to the gathering, although her contribution was cut short by network connectivity problems affecting the Nigerian end of the virtual meeting. Despite the technical challenge, her participation was described as significant by members of the regional structure.
Following the opening addresses, attention shifted to the progress and development of the NDC Middle East structure, with the regional coordinator, Dr. Ben Chukwu, providing an overview of the organisation’s presence across the various countries. He explained that the regional structure had been established to bring Nigerians in the Middle East and neighbouring Asian countries together under a coordinated platform and to provide a common organisational framework for members.
Dr. Chukwu identified the countries where the organisation currently has a presence, including the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. He acknowledged that some of the country structures are more active than others, but maintained that efforts were ongoing to strengthen existing branches and establish more effective structures where necessary.
The coordinator emphasised that the ultimate objective was to develop a coordinated network capable of bringing members together around common organisational goals. He said the structures would provide a platform through which members could participate in planned political activities, support campaign-related efforts and contribute to initiatives focused on safeguarding the electoral process.
The discussion subsequently turned to the future plans of the NDC Middle East region. A major area of focus was membership expansion. Participants agreed on the need to encourage more Nigerians living in the region to identify with and participate in the organisation. According to the coordinator, a larger and more active membership base would provide the human resources necessary to undertake organisational activities effectively.
Another major issue discussed was resource mobilisation. The meeting recognised that effective political organisation requires both human and financial resources and that the regional structure would need to strengthen its capacity to support activities at home. Participants discussed plans aimed at mobilising resources and building networks capable of contributing to campaign activities, voter mobilisation and efforts to monitor and protect the integrity of votes and election results.
The meeting also featured an interactive session during which participants were given the opportunity to ask questions, make observations and contribute ideas. Country chairmen and members of the various executive committees were introduced to the gathering, providing an opportunity for members from different countries to familiarise themselves with the leadership structures across the region.
The Chairman of NDC Qatar, Mr. Nkemdirichi Maduadugwo, was introduced alongside members of his executive, while the Chairman of NDC Thailand, Mr. Chris Mbazuigwe, also greeted the gathering and introduced members of his team. Their participation further demonstrated the geographical spread of the NDC’s diaspora organisation beyond the Middle East itself.
Members of the Middle East and Saudi Arabia executives were subsequently introduced. Among those identified were Dr. Anefu Mgbede, the General Secretary, and Dr. Orjiakor Samuel, the Organising Secretary, alongside other members of the executive. Their contributions centred on the need for greater organisation, stronger participation and a coordinated approach to the activities of the regional structure.
The meeting concluded with a renewed emphasis on strengthening the NDC’s diaspora network across the Middle East and Asia. Participants expressed their commitment to expanding membership, improving communication between country chapters and maintaining stronger links with the party’s structures in Nigeria.
DDM News understands that the inaugural regional meeting represents an effort by the NDC Diaspora Middle East leadership to create a more coordinated platform for Nigerians living across the region and to ensure that their presence and contributions are recognised in discussions concerning Nigeria’s political and national development. The leadership is expected to continue engaging country chapters, encouraging broader participation and developing structures capable of supporting the region’s activities as the country moves closer to the next electoral cycle.
