Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), is at the center of a growing social media firestorm after she reposted a deeply offensive and ethnically charged comment targeting Nigeria’s Igbo community.
The incident unfolded on Wednesday after Dabiri-Erewa posted a video of a trafficked Nigerian girl named Mercy, who was recently rescued from Libya. While her post was intended to spotlight efforts in rescuing Nigerians from trafficking, it soon took a controversial turn.
Responding to Dabiri-Erewa’s post, an X user, Wale Akere (@akerele_s), praised her work while viciously attacking Igbos, referring to them as “monkeys,” “children of gorillas,” and “bastards.”
“My sister, you are doing well. Allow those monkeys to continue to make unnecessary noises. They are born to be ungrateful people… Those animals tagging you, they are children of gorilla. History told us about them. Kudos to you madam @abikedabiri,” he wrote.
Rather than denounce the comment, Dabiri-Erewa reposted it with laughing emojis a move widely interpreted as endorsement. The post, visible on her timeline, garnered over 15,000 views, more than 50 reposts, and sparked a flurry of angry reactions.
Many Nigerians expressed outrage, accusing the NIDCOM boss of promoting tribalism and ethnic hatred from a government-backed platform.
Public Reactions and Outrage
Prominent reactions on X highlighted the depth of public disappointment:
@O.David09926893 wrote: “This is the lowest I have ever seen in the history of Nigeria!!!”
@fybebreed commented: “I thought this page was being handled by a responsible woman, but seriously, I see it’s for her tribe’s interest. And we will respond to you as a tribal bigot.”
@MrOzor1 added: “One useless fellow who happened to be pushed into the corridors of authority. You never disappoint. You always show the stuff you are made of a concatenation of vicious and virulent characters hidden behind makeups.”
History of Controversy and Alleged Ethnic Bias
This is not the first time Abike Dabiri-Erewa has been accused of ethnic bias. In a past statement, she controversially claimed that “20 out of 21 Nigerians on death row in Indonesia were from one South-East state” a statement many interpreted as a targeted jab at the Igbo people.
She has also faced criticism for reportedly focusing on negative stories involving Igbos abroad. A viral video recently condemned her for allegedly ignoring the plight of over 50 Yoruba citizens facing execution in Saudi Arabia, while consistently spotlighting Igbo-related cases in places like Singapore and Indonesia.
The video, highlighted by NN News Media and echoed by public figures like Charly Boy, questioned the objectivity of Dabiri-Erewa’s leadership and accused her of deepening ethnic divisions rather than promoting unity.
Selective Response to Hate Speech
Further scrutiny emerged from Dabiri-Erewa’s allegedly inconsistent responses to hate speech incidents involving Nigerians in the diaspora. She was quick to report a diaspora Nigerian woman named Amaka in Canada for alleged hate speech, but remained silent when another diaspora Nigerian, Kingsley Ugiagbe in Austria, allegedly threatened to unalive Igbo children worldwide.
This selective engagement, critics argue, paints a troubling picture of partiality and raises questions about her fitness to lead a commission tasked with representing all Nigerians abroad, regardless of ethnicity.
Broader Context of Rising Tribal Tensions
The backlash comes amid heightened ethnic tensions in Nigeria, worsened by the rise of online hate campaigns like #IgboMustGo, which fueled targeted harassment and threats against Igbos. Dabiri-Erewa’s silence during such moments contrasted with her quick responses in less sensitive situations has fueled accusations of systemic bias.
Observers say these incidents reflect a broader failure to manage ethnic relations both at home and in the diaspora. For many, Dabiri-Erewa’s recent actions symbolize a larger problem within Nigeria’s political leadership one where tribal loyalty often trumps national unity.
Call for Accountability
The public outcry has renewed calls for accountability, with many demanding that Dabiri-Erewa apologize and face disciplinary measures. Advocacy groups and commentators have stressed the urgent need for inclusive leadership and zero tolerance for ethnic bias in public service.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with its complex ethnic landscape, this controversy underscores the critical importance of responsible conduct by public officials especially in positions meant to unify, not divide.
