Abike Dabiri-Erewa Claims Foreigners Are Begging Tinubu for Nigerian Passports

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

She made the statement on Wednesday in Abuja while outlining plans to mobilise Nigerians living abroad in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s anticipated re-election campaign in 2027. Her remarks have raised questions about Nigeria’s international appeal, the demand for Nigerian citizenship and the realities facing people living in the country.

Abike Dabiri-Erewa: Foreigners Reportedly Seek Nigerian Passports

Abike Dabiri-Erewa said her office had received numerous requests from foreign nationals seeking Nigerian passports, with some reportedly asking for presidential intervention to facilitate their applications.

“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.

Dabiri-Erewa presented the requests as evidence of growing interest in Nigeria, including among foreigners who want to invest or establish stronger ties with the country. She also referred to a woman who reportedly told her team on camera that she had come to Nigeria and did not intend to return to her previous country of residence.

However, the scale of the reported interest has not been independently established by the statement alone. Official citizenship and passport application figures would help determine how widespread the trend is and whether it represents a significant change in international demand for Nigerian citizenship.

Abike Dabiri-Erewa Outlines APC Diaspora Strategy Ahead of 2027

Abike Dabiri-Erewa also outlined plans to mobilise Nigerians across five continents in support of Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign. The proposed activities include activating APC chapters abroad, launching a digital initiative called “Operation Tell Your Story” and encouraging fundraising among Nigerians in the diaspora.

She said the campaign would also promote voter registration awareness and counter misinformation about Nigeria and the Tinubu administration. The strategy reflects the campaign’s intention to use diaspora networks and digital communication to influence political discussions ahead of the next presidential election.

Dabiri-Erewa highlighted the economic contributions of Nigerians living abroad, particularly through remittances, investment and professional expertise. She stated that diaspora remittances exceed $20 billion annually, underscoring the financial importance of Nigerians abroad to households and the national economy.

She also urged the National Assembly to amend relevant laws to enable Nigerians living overseas to vote in Nigerian elections. Until such arrangements are established, she said, Nigerians abroad could still influence political conversations by engaging their relatives, friends and communities at home. Abike Dabiri-Erewa’s claim that many foreigners are seeking Nigerian passports has introduced another dimension to discussions about Nigeria’s international image and its appeal to prospective residents and investors.

While the reported interest may point to positive experiences among some foreign nationals, its wider significance would be clearer with supporting immigration and citizenship data. The claim also comes at a time when economic conditions, public services and opportunities remain important issues in Nigeria’s domestic political debate.

Meanwhile, the APC’s plans to mobilise Nigerians abroad demonstrate the growing importance of diaspora engagement in political communication ahead of 2027. Whether these efforts translate into broader support for Tinubu remains to be seen.

OGM News NG will continue to follow developments surrounding Nigeria’s citizenship policies, diaspora engagement and preparations for the 2027 presidential election.