Nigeria’s population has become the central pillar of its foreign policy, the Federal Government said on Saturday, as it moved to reposition diplomacy to deliver direct benefits to citizens at home and abroad.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, made the declaration at the National Diaspora Day 2026 and Merit Award Dinner held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he described demography as Nigeria’s “foreign policy powerhouse.”
Speaking before diaspora leaders, diplomats and senior government officials, Enikanolaiye said the country’s external engagements are now anchored on the “4-Ds” framework — Demography, Development, Democracy and Diaspora — under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Our foreign policy has been reformulated to focus essentially on the Nigerian people, which is why demography has become our primary focus,” he said. “Foreign policy must impact more directly, in the most meaningful way, on Nigerians.”
The minister stressed that Nigeria’s diaspora remains a critical component of this strategy, noting that citizens abroad are not a burden but a strategic national asset.
“We do not consider our diaspora population as a consular burden. They are a powerful bridge for diplomacy, innovation, technology transfer and global partnerships,” he stated.
Enikanolaiye also pushed back against negative perceptions of migration, arguing that it should not be criminalised or politicised.
“Migration should not be weaponised or demonised. It represents talent circulation — a case of brain gain rather than brain loss,” he said, commending Nigerians abroad for contributing both to host countries and to national development.
On remittances, the minister cited Central Bank estimates of about $21.8 billion annually but noted that the actual figures could be significantly higher due to undocumented flows. He called for improved systems to channel diaspora funds into productive sectors of the economy.
Linking the policy shift to ongoing economic reforms, Enikanolaiye said efforts are underway to strengthen Nigeria’s domestic economy and increase its capacity to benefit from diaspora contributions. He added that recent reforms are beginning to stabilise the economy and are expected to translate into tangible development outcomes.
He urged Nigerians in the diaspora to remain united and committed to national progress. “You are the true ambassadors and the true face of Nigeria. The actions of a few should not define the majority,” he said.
The event also highlighted the government’s broader commitment to strengthening ties with Nigerians abroad and leveraging their expertise, networks and investments to drive sustainable national development.
