ABUJA — The Federal Government has declared Nigerians living abroad “critical assets of national development”, signalling a stronger focus on harnessing their skills, expertise and capacities to support Nigeria’s development priorities.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, made the declaration at the Dinner Night of the Nigerian Diaspora Economic Conference in Toronto, Canada.
According to a statement issued by Richard Elesho, Special Adviser on Media and Strategic Communications, the Minister said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu no longer views the Nigerian diaspora primarily through the lens of consular responsibilities and government assistance, but as a strategic human resource capable of contributing significantly to national development.
“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. No,” Enikanolaiye 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,” he added.
The Minister urged Nigerians abroad to strengthen their cooperation with those at home, stressing the need to overcome divisions based on ethnicity, religion and tribe.
He said greater unity would enable Nigerians to focus on practical cooperation capable of contributing to production, economic growth and national 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 Nigerian,” he said.
Enikanolaiye’s remarks place diaspora engagement within the broader context of the Federal Government’s national development priorities and its efforts to strengthen partnerships capable of delivering tangible benefits for Nigerians.
He also highlighted Nigeria’s engagement with international partners, including the United States, describing the country as entering “a new era of partnership of strategic autonomy.”
“I came in from Washington only yesterday. I was privileged to have been part of the team meeting with the Americans,” the Minister said.
He explained that the engagement was aimed at achieving “core, concrete, positive outcomes for Nigerians” in security, prosperity, defence and the welfare of the Nigerian people.
Enikanolaiye said security remained a major challenge for Nigeria, but affirmed that the government was “doing everything humanly possible” to contain security threats that had affected the country in various forms for more than a decade.
The Minister also acknowledged Canada and other international partners for their contributions to fostering stronger cooperation with Nigeria.
He called for partnerships anchored on mutual respect and cooperation, while commending stakeholders working to advance Nigeria’s development.
Enikanolaiye concluded by thanking the organisers of the Nigerian Diaspora Economic Conference and members of the diaspora community for what he described as their role in “celebrating the assets of Nigeria.”
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to work with Nigerians abroad and international partners in advancing Nigeria’s national interests and development priorities.
