Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sola Enikanolaye says Nigeria is pursuing stronger international partnerships while seeking greater contributions from citizens abroad

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening national security, harnessing the Nigerian diaspora as a strategic resource and building stronger international partnerships based on mutual respect and trust.

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Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Sola Enikanolaye made the commitment on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the Dinner Night of the Nigerian Diaspora Economic Conference in Toronto, Canada, where he outlined the administration’s priorities for security, economic prosperity and international cooperation.

The minister’s remarks, contained in a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Assistant on Media and Strategic Communications, Richard Elesho, placed diaspora engagement at the centre of the government’s broader development strategy.

Enikanolaye acknowledged that insecurity remained one of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges but said the administration was pursuing a multifaceted response to threats that had persisted for more than a decade.

“Nigeria is entering a new era of partnership of strategic autonomy with key international partners, including the United States. 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 the minister, those engagements were intended to produce tangible outcomes rather than remain at the level of diplomatic discussions.

He said the strategic partnerships were focused on delivering “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.”

The comments come as Nigeria continues to deepen security and diplomatic cooperation with international partners while confronting persistent threats from terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of organised violence.

Beyond security, Enikanolaye placed particular emphasis on the potential contribution of Nigerians living abroad to the country’s economic and institutional development.

He said the administration of President Bola Tinubu had moved away from viewing the diaspora primarily through the lens of consular assistance and instead regarded Nigerians abroad as an important reservoir of skills, capital and expertise.

“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,” 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.”

The minister’s position reflects a broader effort by successive Nigerian administrations to convert the country’s large overseas population into a more structured source of investment, technical expertise, knowledge transfer and international networks.

Remittances from Nigerians abroad already represent an important source of foreign exchange for the country, while professionals in the diaspora contribute expertise across sectors including healthcare, technology, finance, academia and engineering.

Enikanolaye, however, said unlocking the full value of the diaspora would require greater unity among Nigerians themselves.

He urged citizens to move beyond ethnic, religious and tribal divisions, arguing that stronger cooperation would create better conditions for production, development 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 Nigeria,” he said.

His appeal highlights one of the central challenges facing efforts to mobilise diaspora resources. Financial contributions alone may not be sufficient to generate lasting development unless they are supported by trust, effective institutions and meaningful channels through which expertise can be transferred.

The minister also acknowledged Canada’s role, alongside other international partners, in supporting opportunities for more productive cooperation with Nigeria.

He said such relationships should be anchored on mutual respect and cooperation as both countries pursue their respective interests.

Enikanolaye commended the organisers of the Nigerian Diaspora Economic Conference and members of the diaspora community for their contribution to Nigeria’s development.

He thanked them “for celebrating the assets of Nigeria” and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s determination to work with Nigerians at home and abroad, as well as international partners, to advance the country’s interests.

The Toronto engagement therefore offered more than a diplomatic message to Nigerians overseas. It presented a renewed pitch for the diaspora to become a more active participant in national development while signalling the government’s intention to pursue strategic international relationships around security, defence and economic prosperity.

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For the administration, the challenge will be converting that vision into practical mechanisms that allow diaspora skills, investment and networks to translate into measurable development outcomes at home.