By Omoyeni Ojeifo
Nigeria is reshaping its approach to global diplomacy, ensuring that every international engagement directly serves national interests, boosts the domestic economy, and delivers practical results for its citizens.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye, announced the strategic shift on Friday during a meeting in Abuja with the leadership of the Society for International Relations and Awareness (SIRA), led by its President, Owei Lakemfa.
“Nigeria’s foreign policy is being repositioned to prioritise the welfare and prosperity of Nigerians through four key pillars: Demography, Development, Diaspora and Democracy,” he said.
Enikanolaiye noted that a thriving domestic economy is critical to effective diplomacy, stressing that Nigeria’s relationships with other countries would continue to reflect the country’s national interest.
“A strong domestic economy remains the foundation of an effective foreign policy, and Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements will continue to be guided by national interest.”
He said the Foreign Affairs Ministry is overhauling its operations to improve professional standards, strengthen internal coordination and build a more effective institution capable of delivering Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives.
The minister added that closer collaboration with Ministries, Departments and Agencies would improve coordination and ensure Nigeria presents a unified position in its dealings with the international community.
While addressing attacks against Nigerians in South Africa, Enikanolaiye said the government had opted for sustained diplomatic engagement while working through regional and continental institutions to address the crisis.
“The Federal Government has mobilised regional support within ECOWAS to elevate the matter to the African Union while maintaining constructive engagement with the South African Government,” said the minister.
He said Nigeria would continue to pursue strategic autonomy by maintaining balanced and mutually beneficial relations with countries across the world, provided such partnerships align with the nation’s interests.
The minister also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the One China Policy, adding that the country’s longstanding foreign policy positions remain essential to protecting its unity, sovereignty and broader development aspirations.
Earlier, Lakemfa described Enikanolaiye as a seasoned career diplomat whose appointment reflected decades of experience in Nigeria’s foreign service and expressed confidence in his ability to strengthen the ministry.
He said the Foreign Affairs Ministry has played a significant role in shaping national development, arguing that many Nigerians remain unaware that institutions, including the Environment and Women Affairs ministries, emerged from international engagements.
Lakemfa said SIRA was established to promote greater understanding of international relations among Nigerians and pledged the society’s support for the ministry through research, advocacy and strategic engagement.
He also commended the Federal Government’s measured response to the xenophobic attacks in South Africa and expressed SIRA’s readiness to partner the ministry in advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy goals.
Persecondnews reports that the discussions also opened the door for closer collaboration between the ministry, academics and civil society on foreign policy research, advocacy and public engagement.