Gambiaj.com – (ABUJA, NIGERIA) – Nigeria has urged The Gambia to reconsider a directive requiring commercial banks to replace non-Gambian employees with qualified locals by the end of 2026, warning that the policy could displace skilled Nigerian professionals and strain relations between the two West African countries.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) said the directive could affect 57 Nigerian professionals employed by four Nigerian-origin banks operating in The Gambia: Access Bank, FirstBank, Guaranty Trust Bank, and Zenith Bank.
In a statement issued on November 3, NiDCOM Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa said the affected professionals reportedly hold valid residency and work permits, raising concerns about the implications of the directive for existing employment arrangements and legitimate work authorizations.
The Central Bank of The Gambia has instructed all commercial banks to replace non-Gambian employees with qualified Gambians, citing provisions of the Labour Act 2023 and its Guideline 9 on expatriate staff.
The regulator has directed banks to implement a phased replacement process, incorporating skills transfer and measures to ensure operational continuity, with the exercise expected to be completed by December 31, 2026.
NiDCOM Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa
Nigerian Banks Hold Significant Market Share
NiDCOM highlighted the economic importance of the four Nigerian-origin banks, saying they collectively account for 37.2 per cent of deposits in The Gambia’s banking industry, valued at GMD35.3 billion.
The institutions also account for 32.6 per cent of the sector’s loans, worth GMD7.67 billion, and hold approximately 37 per cent of total banking assets, according to figures cited by the commission.
Although the directive applies to all commercial banks, NiDCOM warned that its implementation could have implications beyond the employment of the affected Nigerian professionals, given the institutions’ significant presence in the country’s financial sector.
NiDCOM Calls For Engagement
Dabiri-Erewa acknowledged The Gambia’s right to prioritize local employment and strengthen opportunities for its citizens but urged the authorities to consider the circumstances of foreign professionals already working legally in the country.
She called on the Central Bank to engage Nigeria’s High Commission in Banjul and the affected financial institutions to reach what she described as an equitable resolution.
“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.
The disagreement highlights the challenge of balancing national employment priorities with regional economic integration, particularly within the ECOWAS framework, which promotes the movement of people, skills, and investment across West African borders.
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