Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), and Rufai Oseni, co-host of Arise Television’s The Morning Show, have traded words over allegations of irresponsible journalism and a controversial social media post.

The exchange followed Dabiri’s criticism of declining journalistic standards at a panel session in Lagos on Saturday, during an event marking Kike Abati’s 20th anniversary in the media industry.

Dabiri accused some journalists of abandoning professional values, recounting how Oseni had allegedly misinterpreted her response to a social media post as an endorsement of an offensive description of Igbo people.

She said the controversy began after she responded with a smiling emoji to a post by a social media user she identified as Stephanie, who allegedly operated an X account under the name “Voice of Igbos”.

According to Dabiri, Oseni subsequently accused her of describing 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 maintained that she had not made the statement attributed to her, faulting journalists for amplifying claims without exercising due responsibility.

“We have to ensure that you hold people responsible, but you must be responsible yourself. So we will not accept irresponsible journalism,” she said.

The NiDCOM chairperson added: “And let me tell you, some journalism is going to the dogs. There’s no journalism anymore. There are no standards. There are no values.”

Oseni fires back

Responding in a series of posts on X, Oseni accused Dabiri of using the public event to attack him instead of addressing issues affecting Nigerians living abroad.

“Abike Dabiri is more concerned about attacking Rufai Oseni in public instead of doing her job,” he wrote.

The journalist also rejected Dabiri’s explanation of the social media controversy, insisting that her use of a laughing emoji amounted to endorsing a post that denigrated an ethnic group.

“You are guilty as charged. How can you share a laughter emoji at a post that denigrates a tribal group? I put it to you, your laughter here was an endorsement of a denigrating tweet against a certain ethnic group,” he said.

Oseni challenged Dabiri to a public debate, saying he was prepared 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.

He also urged the NiDCOM chairperson to focus on the commission’s responsibilities rather than their public disagreement.