By Ralph Omololu Agbana
The Federal Government has restated its commitment to prioritizing national security, harnessing the Nigerian diaspora as a critical asset for development, and deepening strategic partnerships built on mutual respect and trust.
This was disclosed by the Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye, while addressing the Dinner Night of the Nigerian Diaspora Economic Conference held in Toronto, Canada.
In a press release signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Strategic Communications, Richard Elesho, the Minister acknowledged that insecurity remains a major challenge for the country, but assured that the current administration is doing everything within its power to bring the situation under control.
“We are doing everything humanly possible to ensure that we contain these [challenges] that have been with us in [a] multifaceted manner for the past 10 or so years,” the Minister said.
Speaking on Nigeria’s evolving foreign relations, Amb. Enikanolaiye said the country is entering a new era of partnership defined by “strategic autonomy” with key international allies, including the United States. He disclosed that he had just returned from Washington, where he took part in high-level talks 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, describing the engagement as part of a broader push to deliver “core, concrete, positive outcomes for Nigerians in terms of security, in terms of prosperity, in terms of defence and the welfare of the Nigerian people.”
Turning to the Nigerian diaspora, the Minister said that under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the government no longer views Nigerians abroad as a source of consular strain, but as a vital resource for national growth.
“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,” he added.
The Minister also used the occasion to call for greater unity among Nigerians both at home and abroad, urging citizens to set aside ethnic, religious, and tribal divisions in favour of collective progress.
“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 Nigeria,” he stated.
Amb. Enikanolaiye further acknowledged the role of Canada and other international partners in supporting Nigeria’s development agenda, describing the relationship as one moving toward “more productive partnership in the ways of mutual respect and cooperation going forward.” He commended stakeholders who have continued to contribute to Nigeria’s growth from abroad.
He rounded off his remarks by thanking the organizers of the Nigerian Diaspora Economic Conference and members of the diaspora community “for celebrating the assets of Nigeria,” reaffirming the Federal Government’s resolve to work with all partners — local and international — to advance the country’s interests.
The Nigerian Diaspora Economic Conference in Toronto continues to draw Nigerian professionals, investors, and government representatives seeking to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties between Nigeria and its diaspora community across North America.
