‘Foreigners Now Beg for Nigerian Passports’, Says Dabiri-Erewa

The Director of Diaspora Mobilisation for the PBAT/APC 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has claimed that an increasing number of foreign nationals are seeking Nigerian passports and expressing interest in living in the country.

Dabiri-Erewa made the disclosure on Wednesday during a press briefing in Abuja, where she outlined plans to mobilise Nigerians in the diaspora to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

She said her office had received numerous requests from foreigners seeking assistance to obtain Nigerian passports, adding that the volume of appeals had become significant.

“On my table, you see a lot of people telling us to beg the President to be able to give them Nigerian passports. Ask the Minister of Interior. It’s too much,” she said.

According to her, the growing interest reflects the desire of some foreign nationals to invest in Nigeria, establish closer ties with the country and make it their home.

She cited the example of a woman who recently told her team on camera that she had come to Nigeria and had no intention of returning to her previous country of residence.

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Dabiri-Erewa also highlighted the contributions of Nigerians living abroad, describing them as critical partners in the country’s economic growth and development.

She said Nigerians in the diaspora include medical professionals, engineers, students, traders, innovators and community leaders who contribute through remittances, investments and other engagements.

She put annual diaspora remittances at more than $20 billion, noting that Nigerians abroad were also investing in key sectors, including healthcare, education, agriculture and information and communications technology.

APC unveils diaspora mobilisation strategy for 2027

On preparations for the 2027 presidential election, Dabiri-Erewa said the diaspora directorate would implement a five-point strategy to mobilise Nigerians abroad in support of Tinubu’s re-election campaign.

The strategy includes activating APC diaspora chapters across five continents, launching a digital campaign initiative tagged “Operation Tell Your Story” and encouraging diaspora fundraising through transparent and structured platforms.

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Other components include promoting voter registration awareness and strengthening efforts to counter misinformation about Nigeria and the Tinubu administration.

She acknowledged that Nigerians living abroad could not currently vote in Nigerian elections from their countries of residence under the existing legal framework.

She, however, called on the National Assembly to amend the relevant laws to enable diaspora voting.

According to her, Nigerians abroad can still influence political discussions and electoral outcomes by engaging their families, communities and local government areas.

Dabiri-Erewa defends Tinubu’s economic reforms

The former chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission also defended the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange rate.

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She described the measures as difficult but necessary reforms intended to address structural economic challenges and place Nigeria on the path to prosperity.

Dabiri-Erewa called for stronger cooperation between Nigerians at home and abroad, stressing that the country needed the skills, resources and expertise of its diaspora community.

“Nigeria needs you, and you also need Nigeria. It’s a symbiotic relationship,” she said.

She added that the diaspora directorate would intensify its engagement and mobilisation efforts in the coming months as the 2027 election approaches.