Senate Removes Natasha as Diaspora Committee Chair, Names Replacement

 The Nigerian Senate has removed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organizations, announcing her replacement on July 10, 2025, during a plenary session. 

The decision, made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, appointed Senator Ibrahim Hadejia (APC, Jigawa North-East) as the new chair, citing administrative restructuring. The move has sparked controversy, with Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allies alleging political vendetta, while the leadership insists it reflects committee efficiency needs.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, elected in 2023 under the Peoples Democratic Party, had led the committee for 18 months, overseeing initiatives like the Diaspora Investment Fund, which secured $2 million in pledges. Her removal follows public disagreements with the APC-led Senate over budget allocations, with critics suggesting it’s retaliation for her vocal stance. 

Hadejia, a first-term senator with a background in public administration, promised to continue the fund’s work, though his appointment lacks the diaspora community’s prior engagement. The Senate approved the change with a voice vote, but opposition senators walked out in protest. The decision has fueled debates about gender and party politics in the legislature.