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Chairpersons

Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs Undergoes Leadership Change

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Senate has announced a leadership change in the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), replacing Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan with Senator Aniekan Bassey as Chairperson. Senator Bassey, representing Cross River State, will now lead the committee responsible for monitoring diaspora networks and NGOs, providing guidance on home remittances, and promoting the exchange of ideas between Nigerians at home and abroad. The change comes after Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan's tenure was disrupted due to a six-month suspension linked to allegations of misconduct. A Federal High Court ruling had ordered her reinstatement, but the Senate claims it has yet to receive a certified true copy of the court's judgment.

Key Takeaways:

  • Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has been replaced as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs by Senator Aniekan Bassey.
  • Senator Bassey will lead the committee responsible for monitoring diaspora networks and NGOs, providing guidance on home remittances, and promoting the exchange of ideas between Nigerians at home and abroad.
  • The change in leadership comes after Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan's tenure was disrupted due to a six-month suspension linked to allegations of misconduct.
  • A Federal High Court ruling by Justice Binta Nyako had ordered Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan's reinstatement, but the Senate claims it has yet to receive a certified true copy of the court's judgment.
  • The Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs is tasked with overseeing annual budget estimates related to diaspora affairs.
  • Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was originally appointed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content in November 2023, but was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February 2025.
  • Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for six months after allegations of misconduct linked to confrontations during the reshuffle process.

Statistics:

  • 6 months: duration of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan's suspension
  • 1: number of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan's previous committees, where she was removed as Chair in February 2025 and reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee
  • 1: number of courts (Federal High Court) that had ordered Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan's reinstatement
  • 2023: year Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was originally appointed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content
  • 2025: year Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee and suspended for six months

Sources:

  • "THEWILL recalls that in a minor reshuffle earlier in February, Senator Natasha was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content and reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee."
  • "Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the change during Thursday's plenary session."
  • "THEWILL" - an online news platform

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