FG Deepens Diaspora Engagement, Strategic Partnerships Over Security, Development

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

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, stated this during the dinner night of the Nigerian Diaspora Economic Conference in Toronto, Canada, where he outlined the administration’s approach to security, international relations and diaspora engagement.

Enikanolaiye acknowledged that insecurity remained one of Nigeria’s major challenges but said the government was taking measures to address threats that had persisted in different forms for more than a decade.

“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 said the government’s security efforts were being complemented by renewed engagement with strategic international partners, including the United States, as Nigeria seeks greater cooperation in security, defence and economic development.

Enikanolaiye, who disclosed that he had returned from Washington shortly before the conference, said he was part of the Nigerian delegation that held discussions with American officials.

“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 engagement forms part of Nigeria’s emerging approach of building partnerships that preserve the country’s strategic interests while delivering practical benefits to citizens.

He said Nigeria was entering “a new era of partnership of strategic autonomy”, with the focus shifting towards concrete outcomes in security, prosperity, defence and the welfare of Nigerians.

The minister also placed the Nigerian diaspora at the centre of the government’s development strategy, saying Nigerians living abroad should be regarded as valuable national assets rather than people requiring government assistance.

He said the administration of President Bola Tinubu was seeking to mobilise the skills, expertise, investments and international networks of Nigerians in the diaspora towards national development.

“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,” Enikanolaiye 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.”

The minister urged Nigerians at home and abroad to build stronger bonds and overcome divisions based on ethnicity, religion and tribal affiliations, which he said had contributed to a trust deficit among Nigerians.

He called for greater emphasis on cooperation that could translate into production, 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 said.

Enikanolaiye also stressed the importance of Nigeria’s relations with Canada and other international partners, saying the country was seeking partnerships built around mutual respect and cooperation.

He commended the organisers of the conference and members of the Nigerian diaspora for their contributions to national development, describing the gathering as an opportunity to recognise and harness the resources and capabilities of Nigerians outside the country.

The minister said the government remained committed to working with the diaspora and international partners to advance Nigeria’s interests and support the country’s development priorities.

The Nigerian Diaspora Economic Conference brought together stakeholders to discuss opportunities for Nigerians abroad to contribute to the country’s economic development, investment and broader national objectives.