War Within Ndigbo
OpenLife Nigeria reports that following a statement credited to Mrs. Abike Dabiri Erewa, Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, that she reposted a derogatory remark about Ndigbo, a war of words has generated within the Igbo flank.
People’s gazette had reported that Abike Dabiri-Erewa, on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, amplified a derogatory X post that referred to Igbos, Nigerian citizens of South-East extraction, as monkeys and gorillas. Mrs Dabiri-Erewa had earlier posted a video of a trafficked girl she identified as Mercy, who was rescued from Libya on Monday. In reaction to Mrs Dabiri-Erewa’s post, an X user, Wale Akere, posting via @akerele_s, lauded the NIDCOM boss for her work while berating Igbos as “monkeys, children of gorillas and bustards.”
“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.
In apparent approval of @akerele_s ’s toxic post, Mrs Dabiri-Erewa reposted it with memes of laughter, amplifying the message.
On Mrs Dabiri-Erewa’s timeline, the post has been viewed by over 15,000 people, gathering more than 53 reposts and over 100 comments. Some X users berated Mrs Dabiri-Erewa for amplifying a derogatory post calling Igbos monkeys, saying it further deepened divisive ethnic and tribal tensions.
Reacting, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, has rejected claims that its Chairman/CEO, Hon. (Dr.) Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has been selective in promoting the welfare of Igbo nationals abroad, describing the allegations as unfounded and misleading.
The statement, issued on Friday by the Commission’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, was in response to a publication by Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, who purportedly identified himself as the Deputy President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Isiguzoro alleged that Dabiri-Erewa and NIDCOM had neglected the interests of Igbo citizens in the diaspora. NIDCOM dismissed these claims as “spurious and fabricated,” questioning the legitimacy of Isiguzoro’s representation.
The Commission reiterated that it engages with Nigerian citizens abroad regardless of ethnic, religious, or political background.
“In all our operations, engagements, and interactions with Nigerians in the diaspora, there is no instance of segregation or selective treatment,” the statement read.
It cited interventions on behalf of distressed Nigerians in countries including Libya, Ghana, Mali, Central African Republic, Lebanon, Iraq, South Africa, Canada, USA, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bosnia Herzegovina, and Ukraine as examples of its broad outreach.
Supporting the Commission, Chief Chibuzo Ubochi, Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Europe and Coordinating Chairman of NIDO Worldwide, described Dabiri-Erewa as “Mama Diaspora,” noting her commitment to inclusion and empowerment of all Nigerians abroad. “Her dedication transcends ethnic and regional lines, and she continues to work tirelessly to ensure every Nigerian abroad is treated with dignity and respect,” he said.
Ubochi appealed to Nigerians both at home and abroad to focus on unity rather than divisive claims. Dabiri-Erewa herself emphasized that ethnic bigotry is a divisive burden and cautioned against politicizing identity-based issues.
“It is past time to elevate our discourse, reject balkanization, and set an example that leaves our children a unified Nigeria. We are proud Nigerians, at home and abroad, with a duty to join hands with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to build a united and prosperous Nigeria,” she said.
NIDCOM’s statement also stressed that while crimes committed by Nigerians abroad are prosecuted regardless of origin, the achievements of law-abiding citizens continue to be celebrated. The Commission insisted that its mandate is inclusive and centered on protecting and advocating for all Nigerians in the diaspora.
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