FG Pledges Stronger Security, Diaspora Engagement and Strategic Partnerships for Nigeria’s Growth

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening national security, harnessing the Nigerian diaspora as a strategic asset for development, and deepening partnerships with countries and institutions based on mutual respect and shared interests.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, stated this while speaking at the Dinner Night of the Nigerian Diaspora Economic Conference in Toronto, Canada.

Enikanolaiye acknowledged that security remains one of Nigeria’s major challenges, but said the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration was taking every necessary step to address the multifaceted security threats confronting the country.

“Doing everything humanly possible to ensure that we contain these that have been with us in multifaceted manner for the past 10 or so years,” the Minister said.

He disclosed that Nigeria was entering what he described as “a new era of partnership of strategic autonomy” with key international partners, including the United States.

“I came in from Washington only yesterday. I was privileged to have been part of the team meeting with the Americans,” he said.

According to him, the engagements are focused on securing concrete outcomes for Nigerians, particularly in the areas of security, prosperity, defence and the welfare of citizens.

The Minister also highlighted the strategic importance of Nigerians living abroad, stressing that the government no longer views the diaspora primarily from the perspective of consular responsibilities or assistance.

He said the Tinubu administration considers Nigerians in the diaspora “critical assets of national development” whose skills, expertise, networks and resources can contribute significantly to Nigeria’s development priorities.

“For this government, Nigerians in the diaspora are critical assets of national development. We don’t see you as a basket case of consular burden responsibilities always in need of government’s intervention and assistance. No,” he said.

“On the contrary, we see you as a vital human resource with huge capacities for Nigeria which government is trying to harness in terms of our national development priorities.”

Enikanolaiye consequently called for greater unity and cooperation among Nigerians at home and abroad, urging citizens to overcome divisions based on ethnicity, religion and tribe.

He said Nigerians must focus on partnerships capable of promoting production, development, economic growth and prosperity.

“We are aware of the trust deficit that exists among Nigerians especially those of us abroad. Let’s try and break those barriers of ethnicity, barriers of religion, barriers of tribe, and let’s relate on the functional aspect of cooperation that promotes production, that promotes development, that promotes growth and prosperity unto Nigerian,” he stated.

The Minister further acknowledged the important role of Canada and other international partners in supporting Nigeria’s development aspirations, expressing optimism about stronger cooperation based on mutual respect and shared interests.

He commended the organizers of the Nigerian Diaspora Economic Conference and members of the diaspora community for their contributions to the country, describing them as important stakeholders in Nigeria’s development journey.

Enikanolaiye concluded by reaffirming the Federal Government’s readiness to work with Nigerians in the diaspora, international partners and other stakeholders to advance Nigeria’s national interests and promote sustainable development.