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Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), and Rufai Oseni, co-host of Arise Television’s The Morning Show, have exchanged words over allegations of irresponsible journalism and an offensive social media post.
The disagreement started on Saturday in Lagos during a panel discussion at an event marking Kikelomo Atanda-Owo’s 20th anniversary in the media industry.
During the discussion, Dabiri criticised what she described as the declining standards and values in journalism. She said journalists must be responsible and held accountable for their actions.
She explained that she had been attacked repeatedly on social media by a woman who used the X account “Voice of Igbos”.
According to Dabiri, she investigated the account and discovered that it was operated by a woman named Stephanie.
Dabiri said she later reacted to a comment on one of the woman’s posts with a laughing emoji. However, Oseni interpreted her reaction as support for an offensive statement against the Igbo ethnic group.
The NiDCOM chairperson said Oseni wrongly reported that she had described Igbo people as monkeys and gorillas.
“Somebody replies to her. Then I do a smiley. And then Rufai Oseni comes and says, Abike Dabiri calls everybody — Igbos — monkeys and gorillas,” she said.
Dabiri insisted that she did not make such a statement and accused the journalist of irresponsible reporting.
She said journalists must be careful when interpreting statements made on social media, adding that they should maintain the same standards of accountability they demand from public officials.
“We have to ensure that you hold people responsible, but you must be responsible yourself,” she said.
Dabiri also expressed concern about the falling standards of journalism, saying the profession needed stronger values and professional discipline.
Oseni responds
Reacting to Dabiri’s comments, Oseni took to X to accuse her of using the public event to attack him instead of focusing on the responsibilities of her office.
The journalist claimed that Dabiri appeared uncomfortable when she noticed his presence at the event and eventually mentioned his name during the discussion.
He also alleged that the incident was not the first time the NiDCOM chairperson had confronted him publicly.
Oseni maintained that Dabiri’s laughing emoji amounted to an endorsement of an offensive post against an ethnic group.
He challenged her to a public debate, insisting that he was ready to defend his position.
“Your problem is you can’t stand the truth. I will like to challenge you to a debate on this issue where I will speak the truth to your face and prove to the world you endorse bigotry,” he wrote.
Oseni urged Dabiri to concentrate on the work of NiDCOM rather than their disagreement.
The exchange has brought renewed attention to questions about responsible journalism, social media conduct and the need for public figures and journalists to exercise caution when discussing sensitive ethnic issues.
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