Abike Dabiri-Erewa and Rufai Oseni clash over journalism standards

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), and Arise Television presenter Rufai Oseni have engaged in a public dispute regarding journalistic integrity and social media conduct.

During a panel session in Lagos marking Kikelomo Atanda-Owo Abati’s 20th anniversary in the media industry, Dabiri-Erewa criticized declining professional standards in journalism. She specifically accused Oseni of misrepresenting her response to a social media post involving the Igbo ethnic group. Dabiri-Erewa explained that after being attacked by a user identified as ‘Voice of Igbos’ on X, she responded to a comment with a smiling emoji. She alleged that Oseni subsequently claimed she had used the emoji to endorse offensive descriptions of Igbo people as ‘monkeys and gorillas.’

Dabiri-Erewa denied making any such derogatory statements and argued that Oseni’s interpretation was an act of irresponsible journalism that allowed false claims to go viral. Oseni responded via social media, rejecting her explanation and asserting that her use of a laughing emoji amounted to an endorsement of the offensive post. He further accused Dabiri-Erewa of using a public event to attack him personally rather than focusing on her official duties regarding Nigerians living abroad.