The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving national security, harnessing the skills and resources of Nigerians living abroad and building stronger partnerships with other countries to advance Nigeria’s interests.
The government said Nigerians in the diaspora should be regarded as important partners in national development rather than as a burden on the country.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaye, stated this during the Dinner Night of the Nigerian Diaspora Economic Conference in Toronto, Canada.
The minister’s remarks were contained in a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Assistant on Media and Strategic Communications, Richard Elesho.
Enikanolaye said security remained one of the major challenges facing Nigeria but assured Nigerians that the Federal Government was taking steps to address the problem.
According to him, the administration is using different approaches to tackle security challenges that have affected the country for more than a decade.
“Security remains a major challenge, but the current administration is doing everything humanly possible to ensure that we contain these that have been with us in a multifaceted manner for the past 10 or so years,” he said.
The minister said the government’s approach included stronger cooperation with international partners and efforts to build relationships based on mutual respect and trust.
He disclosed that Nigeria was entering what he described as a new era of strategic autonomy in its relations with major international partners, including the United States.
Enikanolaye said he had recently returned from Washington, where he participated in meetings with American officials as part of the Nigerian delegation.
“Nigeria is entering 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.
The minister said the purpose of the engagement was to secure practical results that would improve the lives of Nigerians.
He listed security, economic prosperity, defence and the welfare of citizens among the areas the government was seeking to improve through international partnerships.
According to him, Nigeria’s foreign policy must be linked to the needs of its citizens and should produce clear benefits for the country.
He said strategic partnerships should not be based only on diplomatic meetings but should lead to concrete outcomes that improve national security and economic development.
The minister’s comments came at a time when Nigeria continues to face serious security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminal activity in different parts of the country.
The Federal Government has continued to seek international support, intelligence sharing, training and other forms of cooperation to strengthen the country’s ability to deal with these threats.
Enikanolaye also placed strong emphasis on the role of Nigerians living outside the country.
He said the government under President Bola Tinubu viewed the Nigerian diaspora as a major resource that could contribute to national development.
“For this government, Nigerians in the diaspora are critical assets of national development,” he said.
The minister said the government did not see Nigerians abroad as people who were constantly in need of consular assistance or government support.
Instead, he said they should be regarded as skilled human resources with the capacity to contribute to the growth of the Nigerian economy.
“We don’t see you as a basket case of consular burden responsibilities always in need of government’s intervention and assistance.
“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,” he stated.
The minister’s position reflects the growing attention being given to the Nigerian diaspora as a source of investment, skills, technology, knowledge and international connections.
Millions of Nigerians live and work outside the country, with large communities in North America, Europe, the Middle East and other parts of Africa.
Many contribute to Nigeria through remittances, investments, professional services, business partnerships and knowledge transfer.
Diaspora remittances have remained an important source of foreign exchange for Nigeria, while professionals abroad have also contributed to sectors such as healthcare, education, technology, finance and business.
Enikanolaye, however, said Nigerians at home and abroad needed to build stronger relationships and overcome divisions that could affect cooperation.
He specifically urged citizens to move beyond ethnic, religious and tribal differences.
The minister acknowledged that there was a trust deficit among Nigerians, including members of the diaspora, and called for greater unity.
“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,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to focus on cooperation that could promote production, development, economic growth and prosperity.
According to him, national development should be placed above divisions based on ethnic or religious identity.
The call for unity comes amid continuing debates over Nigeria’s national identity and the challenges posed by ethnic, religious and regional divisions.
Political and community leaders have repeatedly called for greater national cohesion, particularly as the country deals with economic difficulties and security challenges.
The minister also acknowledged the role of Canada and other international partners in supporting Nigeria’s development.
He said Nigeria was interested in building more productive relationships based on mutual respect and cooperation.
The minister noted that partnerships with countries such as Canada could provide opportunities for investment, trade, education, technology and other areas of development.
He also commended individuals and organisations contributing to Nigeria’s development and encouraged them to continue supporting the country.
The Nigerian Diaspora Economic Conference provides a platform for discussions on how Nigerians living abroad can contribute to the country’s economic development.
Such conferences also create opportunities for government officials, investors, professionals and members of the diaspora to discuss areas of cooperation.
The government’s renewed emphasis on diaspora engagement comes as Nigeria seeks additional sources of investment and expertise to support economic growth.
Nigeria is also working to attract more foreign investment while encouraging Nigerians abroad to invest in businesses and development projects at home.
For the Federal Government, stronger diaspora engagement could help connect Nigeria to international markets and expertise while creating opportunities for local businesses.
The minister said the government was prepared to work with Nigerians at home and abroad to advance the country’s interests.
He thanked the organisers of the conference and members of the diaspora community for what he described as their efforts to promote Nigeria.
He also praised them for “celebrating the assets of Nigeria” and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with all relevant partners.
The minister’s message was that Nigeria’s development could not be achieved by government alone.
He called for cooperation among citizens, the private sector, the diaspora and international partners.
As the country continues to face security and economic challenges, the Federal Government is expected to place greater emphasis on partnerships that can deliver practical benefits to Nigerians.
Enikanolaye said the administration would continue to pursue such partnerships while prioritising security, prosperity, defence and the welfare of citizens.
He also stressed the need for Nigerians to work together despite their differences.
The government believes that by harnessing the skills, resources and connections of Nigerians in the diaspora and building stronger international partnerships, the country can create more opportunities for growth and development.
For Nigerians abroad, the message from the government is that their role should go beyond sending money home.
They are being encouraged to contribute their skills, experience, investments and global networks to national development.
The Federal Government said it would continue to create stronger links with the diaspora and international partners as part of its efforts to advance Nigeria’s economic and national interests.