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A Central Bank of The Gambia staffing directive could affect 57 Nigerian professionals working in four Nigerian-origin banks in the country, according to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission. The directive, issued on September 16, 2026, requires commercial banks to replace non-Gambian staff not covered by approved expatriate quotas with qualified Gambian nationals by December 31, 2026.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, says 57 Nigerian professionals working in four Nigerian-origin banks in The Gambia could be affected by a staffing directive from the Central Bank of The Gambia.
According to the commission, the directive was issued on September 16, 2026. It requires commercial banks to replace non-Gambian employees who are not covered by approved expatriate quotas with qualified Gambian nationals by December 31, 2026.
The Nigerian-origin banks named in reports are Access Bank, FirstBank, Guaranty Trust Bank and Zenith Bank.
NiDCOM chair Abike Dabiri-Erewa said the affected professionals reportedly hold valid residency and work permits.
The commission has called on the Central Bank of The Gambia to reconsider the directive. It also asked for engagement with the Nigerian High Commission in Banjul, the affected banks and other stakeholders.
The issue centres on staffing rules in The Gambia and their possible effect on Nigerians working legally in the banking sector there. NiDCOM’s intervention signals concern over both the workers involved and the broader handling of expatriate employment within the affected banks.
Why it matters
The development matters because it could lead to job losses for dozens of Nigerian professionals working outside the country in a regulated sector. It also raises a wider concern for Nigerian businesses with regional operations, especially where local staffing rules and expatriate quotas may change or be enforced more strictly.
For readers in Nigeria, the case highlights how policy decisions in other African countries can directly affect Nigerian workers and banks with cross-border footprints.
What it means for your money
There is no direct personal-finance impact for most Nigerians from the information available. The immediate financial relevance is mainly for the affected workers, the banks involved and Nigerians monitoring employment opportunities in regional banking markets.
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The key date to watch is December 31, 2026, the deadline set in the directive for replacing non-Gambian staff not covered by approved expatriate quotas. It will also be important to monitor whether the Central Bank of The Gambia responds to NiDCOM’s call for reconsideration and whether talks take place with the Nigerian High Commission in Banjul, the affected banks and other stakeholders.
NiDCOM says a Gambian staffing directive could affect 57 Nigerians working in four Nigerian-origin banks, and it is seeking a rethink before the year-end deadline takes effect.
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