Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Director of Diaspora Mobilization for the PBAT/APC 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, has revealed that her office has received numerous requests from foreign nationals seeking to obtain Nigerian passports, citing growing interest in the country.
Dabiri-Erewa disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing in Abuja, where she outlined plans to mobilize Nigerians living abroad in support of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign in 2027.
According to her, the volume of requests from foreigners interested in obtaining Nigerian passports has become significant, with some applicants reportedly asking her office to appeal directly to the President on their behalf.
“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.
She attributed the growing interest to the appeal Nigeria holds for some foreign nationals, particularly those seeking investment opportunities and stronger personal or professional ties with the country.
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To illustrate the trend, Dabiri-Erewa recounted the experience of a woman who, during a recorded interaction with her team, reportedly said she had visited Nigeria and no longer wanted to return to her former country of residence.
However, the remarks did not establish how many foreign nationals had formally applied for Nigerian citizenship or passports, or how many of such requests had been approved.
Nigerians in Diaspora Contribute Over $20bn Annually
Beyond the reported interest from foreign nationals, Dabiri-Erewa highlighted the economic and professional contributions of Nigerians living abroad, describing them as important partners in the country’s development.
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She said Nigerians in the diaspora remit more than $20 billion annually, while also contributing through investments, professional expertise and other forms of engagement across critical sectors of the economy.
According to her, these contributions extend beyond financial transfers to include healthcare, education, agriculture, information and communications technology, entrepreneurship and community development.
She noted that Nigerians living overseas comprise professionals, business owners, students and community leaders who continue to maintain connections with their home country.
Dabiri-Erewa stressed the need to strengthen cooperation between Nigerians at home and abroad, arguing that greater collaboration could create more opportunities for economic growth and national development.
APC Unveils Five-Point Diaspora Mobilization Strategy for 2027
As preparations for the 2027 presidential election gather momentum, Dabiri-Erewa said the PBAT/APC 2027 Presidential Campaign Council intends to intensify engagement with Nigerians living abroad through a five-point mobilization strategy.
The proposed strategy is designed to strengthen the ruling party’s overseas support base and encourage diaspora participation in political discussions surrounding the forthcoming election.
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One of the key initiatives is the strengthening of APC chapters across five continents to improve coordination and engagement with party supporters abroad.
The council also plans to introduce a digital outreach campaign tagged “Operation Tell Your Story”, which is expected to encourage supporters to share their experiences and perspectives about Nigeria and the Tinubu administration.
Other components of the strategy include encouraging diaspora fundraising through structured and transparent channels, promoting awareness of voter registration and countering misinformation about Nigeria and the Federal Government.
The proposed initiatives reflect the campaign council’s intention to use digital platforms, diaspora networks and community engagement to expand its political outreach ahead of the election.
Dabiri-Erewa Calls for Diaspora Voting Rights
Dabiri-Erewa also renewed calls for legislative reforms that would allow Nigerians living abroad to vote in Nigerian elections from their countries of residence.
Under the existing electoral framework, Nigerians in the diaspora cannot ordinarily cast ballots in national elections from overseas. She urged the National Assembly to consider legal changes that could create a framework for diaspora voting.
Although Nigerians abroad currently face this limitation, she said they could still influence political conversations by engaging relatives, friends and communities in Nigeria.
Such engagement, she suggested, could help diaspora Nigerians communicate their views on governance, public policy and the country’s political future.
The introduction of diaspora voting would, however, require appropriate legislative and administrative arrangements before Nigerians abroad could participate directly in elections from their countries of residence.
Tinubu Government’s Economic Reforms Defended
During the briefing, Dabiri-Erewa also defended the Federal Government’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy and its foreign exchange policy, describing the measures as difficult but necessary steps intended to address longstanding economic challenges.
The removal of the petrol subsidy and changes to foreign exchange management have been among the most significant economic policy decisions under President Tinubu’s administration.
While the government has maintained that its reforms are aimed at addressing structural weaknesses and improving economic stability, the policies have also generated public debate over their effects on fuel prices, the cost of living and household purchasing power.
Dabiri-Erewa’s comments formed part of a broader appeal for Nigerians at home and abroad to work together in supporting the country’s development.
“Nigeria needs you, and you also need Nigeria. It’s a symbiotic relationship,” she said.
Diaspora Engagement to Intensify Ahead of 2027 Election
Dabiri-Erewa said the campaign council would step up engagement with Nigerians in the diaspora as political activities ahead of the 2027 presidential election continue.
The planned outreach is expected to focus on strengthening overseas party structures, promoting the campaign’s message through digital platforms, encouraging transparent fundraising and mobilizing supporters to participate in political discussions.
The council’s approach also underscores the growing importance of Nigerians abroad as a source of remittances, investment, expertise and international connections.
However, the effectiveness of the proposed mobilization strategy will depend on its implementation, the level of diaspora participation and the extent to which its initiatives translate into sustained engagement.
With the 2027 election approaching, diaspora mobilization is set to remain an important element of the campaign council’s efforts to build support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
