Abike Kafayat Oluwatoyin Dabiri-Erewa, born on October 11, 1962, in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, is a distinguished Nigerian politician and former journalist. She hails from the Erogbogbo family of Ikorodu in Lagos State.
She attended Maryland Private School in Ikeja for her primary education and St. Teresa’s College in Ibadan for her secondary education. She obtained a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), followed by a Postgraduate Diploma and a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos. She also studied at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
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Career in Journalism
Dabiri-Erewa spent 15 years at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), where she anchored the weekly program NTA Newsline. Her journalism career focused on poverty and social justice. One of her most notable investigations was the story of “Mary, the Miracle Baby”, a complex case involving a child claimed by three different women, which she pursued for eight years before it was resolved.
Political Career
In 2003, she transitioned into politics and was elected to the House of Representatives, representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency. She served for three consecutive terms until 2015. During her time in the House, she chaired the House Committee on Media & Publicity, and later, the Committee on Diaspora Affairs. She was instrumental in sponsoring significant legislative bills, such as the Freedom of Information Bill, the Nigerian Infant Health Welfare Bill, and the Nigerian Diaspora Commission Bill.
Role in Diaspora Affairs
In 2015, she was appointed as the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora. In 2019, she became the pioneer Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM). Her work focuses on the welfare and engagement of Nigerians living abroad.
Controversy with VeryDarkMan (VDM)
In April 2025, popular social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), publicly criticized Dabiri-Erewa. He accused her of inaction over the plight of underage Nigerian girls trafficked to Ivory Coast, demanding that she facilitate their repatriation within a week. He threatened to escalate his protests if the issue wasn’t addressed, sparking public discourse on the government’s responsibility in diaspora welfare and trafficking issues.
Personal Life
Abike Dabiri-Erewa is married to Segun Erewa. She has received numerous national and international awards for excellence in journalism and public service. She is widely respected for her advocacy for social justice, women’s rights, and the well-being of Nigerians in the diaspora.
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