The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has defended its Chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, following calls for her to apologise over remarks she reportedly made about the standard of journalism in Nigeria.
The demand for an apology was made by Livinus Chibuike Victor, who faulted the comments and called on the NiDCOM boss to publicly apologise to journalists.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 15, 2026, NiDCOM said Dabiri-Erewa’s comments had been taken out of context, insisting that she was criticising irresponsible reporting and the failure to verify information before publication, rather than condemning the entire media profession.
Dabiri-Erewa had reportedly said that “some journalism is going to the dogs,” expressing concern about declining professional standards and ethical values in parts of the industry.
NiDCOM said her remarks followed incidents of inaccurate reporting and what it described as the misrepresentation of her response to a social media post.
The commission maintained that the chairman’s comments were not intended to discredit journalists but to draw attention to the damage that unverified reports could cause to reputations, worsen ethnic tensions and undermine public trust.
NiDCOM cites Dabiri-Erewa’s media background
The commission also pointed to Dabiri-Erewa’s background as a journalist, noting that she previously worked with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), where she became known for presenting and anchoring Newsline.
It added that she later sponsored a bill in the House of Representatives aimed at strengthening professional standards and self-regulation in journalism.
According to NiDCOM, the proposal faced strong opposition despite its intention to promote recognised qualifications, ethical standards and accountability within the profession.
The commission argued that the adoption and implementation of the bill could have helped create a more structured and respected media industry while providing journalists with clearer professional standards.
NiDCOM therefore rejected suggestions that Dabiri-Erewa lacked respect for journalists, saying her concerns were informed by her experience in the media and her interest in the profession’s development.
Commission calls for constructive engagement
Despite defending the chairman, NiDCOM acknowledged the difficult and sometimes dangerous conditions under which many Nigerian journalists work.
It praised media practitioners who investigate wrongdoing, hold public officials accountable and give a voice to marginalised communities, saying their contributions remained important to democracy and national development.
The commission said concerns about journalism standards should lead to broader discussions on fact-checking, editorial responsibility, journalists’ welfare, press freedom and professional self-regulation.
It added that it was ready to engage with media stakeholders on ways to strengthen the profession without undermining its independence.
NiDCOM maintained that Dabiri-Erewa stood by her concerns about irresponsible reporting while reaffirming her respect for journalists who uphold professional and ethical standards.
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