FG outlines Nigeria’s foreign policy priorities, seeks stronger diplomatic cooperation - The Guardian Nigeria News
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has outlined the Federal Government’s foreign-policy priorities, calling for stronger diplomatic cooperation, improved communication and deeper bilateral relations between Nigeria and other countries. Odumegwu-Ojukwu made the remarks during her first formal briefing with members of the diplomatic corps and heads of international organisations in Abuja since assuming office as Foreign Affairs Minister. The minister, in a post on X, said the meeting provided an opportunity to appreciate heads of diplomatic and consular missions, as well as representatives of international organisations in Nigeria, for their support and cooperation. She said the engagement was also aimed at strengthening collaboration and bilateral relations between Nigeria and other countries. According to the minister, Nigeria’s foreign policy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is anchored on four key areas, demography, development, democracy and diaspora, while strategic autonomy and the national interest would guide the country’s international engagements. Odumegwu-Ojukwu also announced plans by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to revitalise inactive joint and bi-national commissions with various countries. She said the commissions would be geared towards achieving specific outcomes across sectors including trade, financial technology, investment, agriculture, security, capacity building and education. The minister further stressed the importance of closer dialogue between the ministry and diplomatic missions, urging that official communications concerning diplomatic matters be routed through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She assured diplomatic missions of prompt responses to diplomatic and consular requests, while discussions at the briefing also covered the security of foreign missions in Nigeria, the country’s forthcoming elections, cultural diplomacy and the need for more efficient communication. On consular matters, Odumegwu-Ojukwu appealed to embassies, consulates and high commissions to introduce measures that would ease visa-related difficulties experienced by Nigerians. The minister said the government was interested in maintaining an open and constructive relationship with the diplomatic community as part of efforts to advance Nigeria’s foreign-policy objectives. She was joined at the briefing by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, and the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed.
