ABUJA, Nigeria — The Federal Government has initiated moves to strengthen coordination between Nigeria’s foreign policy and economic planning frameworks to accelerate national development and improve engagement with international partners.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, led the push during a high-level meeting with the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, and the Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, in Abuja. The development was contained in a statement issued by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Discussions at the meeting centred on aligning diplomatic efforts with Nigeria’s development priorities under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with a focus on enhancing international cooperation and optimising mission funding.
Enikanolaiye said stronger synergy between both ministries is critical to ensuring that Nigeria’s foreign engagements translate into tangible economic outcomes.
“Our foreign policy must directly support national development by driving strategic partnerships, unlocking funding opportunities and improving coordination with development partners,” he said.
The meeting also reviewed mechanisms for improving resource allocation to Nigeria’s missions abroad, with emphasis on efficiency, accountability and results-driven diplomacy.
Both sides agreed on the need for closer institutional collaboration to maximise the benefits of bilateral and multilateral engagements, particularly in areas of economic growth, infrastructure development and investment promotion.
They further underscored the importance of a coordinated approach in engaging development partners to ensure alignment with Nigeria’s national priorities and long-term planning objectives.
