The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to placing Nigerians at the heart of its foreign policy, describing the country’s large population and global diaspora as strategic assets for national development rather than a burden.
Sola Enikanolaiye, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, made the declaration at the National Diaspora Day 2026 and Merit Award Dinner held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he said demography has become the central pillar of Nigeria’s reformulated 4-Ds foreign policy framework.
Addressing diaspora leaders, diplomats and senior government officials, Enikanolaiye explained that the revised foreign policy is built on four pillars—Demography, Development, Democracy and Diaspora—with greater emphasis on ensuring that Nigeria’s external relations deliver tangible benefits to citizens.
According to him, the country’s foreign policy has been redesigned to focus primarily on the welfare of Nigerians, insisting that every diplomatic engagement must translate into meaningful socio-economic gains for the people.
He described the National Diaspora Day celebration as evidence of the government’s determination to harness the expertise, investments and global networks of Nigerians living abroad to drive national development.
Enikanolaiye also challenged prevailing narratives that portray migration negatively, arguing that migration should be viewed as an avenue for talent circulation and knowledge exchange rather than brain drain.
He commended Nigerians in the diaspora for making significant contributions to their host countries while simultaneously supporting Nigeria through investments, skills transfer and other developmental initiatives.
Speaking on diaspora remittances, the minister noted that official estimates of about $21.8 billion annually and $6 million monthly do not capture the true value of funds sent home because a substantial portion passes through informal channels.
He called for improved mechanisms to channel diaspora remittances into productive sectors of the economy to maximise their developmental impact.
Enikanolaiye said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which supervises matters relating to the diaspora, indigenous and international cooperation, views Nigerians abroad as strategic partners in diplomacy rather than a consular responsibility.
According to him, the diaspora contributes far beyond remittances by promoting innovation, technology transfer, professional exchanges and international partnerships that strengthen Nigeria’s global standing.
The minister linked the country’s ongoing economic reforms to the demography pillar of the foreign policy, saying efforts are being made to improve the domestic business environment and expand the economy’s capacity to benefit from the skills and investments of Nigerians overseas.
He expressed optimism that the reforms had begun to stabilise the economy and would increasingly translate into improved living standards under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Urging Nigerians abroad to remain united irrespective of ethnic or regional affiliations, Enikanolaiye described them as the true ambassadors of the country and appealed to the international community not to judge the entire nation by the actions of a few individuals.
Drawing from his diplomatic experience in Canada and the United Kingdom, he pledged that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would continue to strengthen engagement with Nigerians overseas and facilitate partnerships that support their contributions to national development.
