Abike Kafayat Oluwatoyin Dabiri-Erewa, OON (born 11 October 1962) is a prominent Nigerian politician, public administrator, and advocate for Nigerians in the diaspora. She is widely recognized for her long legislative career and her pioneering leadership in diaspora affairs in Nigeria.
She served as a member of the Federal House of Representatives, representing the Ikorodu Federal Constituency of Lagos State, where she was first elected in 2003 and subsequently re-elected in 2007 and 2011. During her time in the National Assembly, Dabiri-Erewa distinguished herself as a strong voice in media, public communication, and diaspora engagement. She chaired the House Committee on Media and Publicity and later became the Chairperson of the House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, a role that positioned her at the forefront of policy discussions concerning Nigerians living abroad.
In 2015, following the election of President Muhammadu Buhari, she was appointed Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, reflecting her longstanding commitment to diaspora issues. Her work in this capacity contributed to the institutionalization of diaspora engagement in national development.
In November 2018, Dabiri-Erewa was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), an agency established to coordinate and harness the contributions of Nigerians living abroad. Although her appointment letter was transmitted to the Senate in 2018, confirmation was delayed until May 2019, when the Senate formally approved her appointment. Under her leadership, NiDCOM launched the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS), designed to attract foreign investment and strengthen economic ties between Nigeria and its diaspora population.
Politically, Dabiri-Erewa was also associated with “Together Nigeria”, an independent advocacy group that supported President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2019 re-election bid, further underlining her active participation in national political movements.
Education
Abike Dabiri-Erewa received her primary education at Maryland Private School, Ikeja, and attended St. Teresa’s College, Ibadan, for her secondary education. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in English Language from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife). She later obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Mass Communication and a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos, Akoka. She also undertook advanced studies at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government in the United States.
Personal Life
Dabiri-Erewa hails from a notable family in Ikorodu, Lagos State. She was born to Alhaji and Alhaja Ashafa Erogbogbo, descendants of respected Ikorodu lineages, including the Adegorunsen Compound and Bello Solebo family. She is married to Segun Erewa.
In August 2015, her name appeared in Nigerian national newspapers in connection with alleged non-performing loans. She promptly refuted the claims, citing mistaken identity, and publicly asserted that she owed no financial institution. The bank involved later issued a formal apology, acknowledging the error.
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