By Ghazali Ibrahim
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has made a surprise cameo appearance in Aníkúlápó: The Ghoul Awakens, the newly released Netflix series by filmmaker Kunle Afolayan.
Dabiri-Erewa confirmed her appearance in the epic fantasy series on Friday, sharing a short clip from the production on her official X account. She revealed that she played the role of the Iyalode, a respected community leader who intervenes to broker peace between warring groups in the story.
The appearance marks Dabiri-Erewa’s acting debut and has drawn attention due to her prominence in public service rather than the entertainment industry. She described her role as a brief stint and encouraged viewers to watch the series, which premiered globally on Netflix on January 30, 2026.
Aníkúlápó: The Ghoul Awakens is the second instalment in Afolayan’s Aníkúlápó franchise, expanding on the 2022 film with a deeper exploration of power, loyalty and supernatural forces rooted in Yoruba history and mythology.
The new series features an expanded cast, including Portuguese actor Pedro Teixeira and popular Nigerian entertainer Bukunmi “KieKie” Adeaga-Ilori.
Afolayan unveiled the series at a premiere event and watch party at his KAP Film Village in Oyo State, with the production earning early praise for its visuals, storytelling and cultural depth.
Dabiri-Erewa’s cameo has since sparked conversations online about the intersection of public service and creative expression in Nollywood.
