The Federal Government has said stronger engagement with Nigerians abroad and deeper international partnerships will play an increasingly important role in national security, economic growth and sustainable development.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sola Enikanolaiye made the statement at the Nigerian Diaspora Economic Conference in Toronto.
He said security remained a major challenge but maintained that the Tinubu administration was using diplomatic, defence and domestic instruments to confront threats that had persisted for years.
Enikanolaiye said Nigeria was entering a new phase of strategic cooperation with major partners, including the United States.
He referred to recent high level discussions in Washington and said the objective was to secure practical outcomes in defence, security, prosperity and public welfare.
The minister also said the government was changing the way it viewed Nigerians living overseas.
Rather than treating the diaspora mainly as people requiring consular assistance, he said the administration regarded Nigerians abroad as a major source of skills, capital, networks and international experience.
Enikanolaiye urged the diaspora to contribute more directly to national development priorities.
He also acknowledged what he described as a trust deficit among Nigerians and called for greater cooperation across ethnic, religious and regional divisions.
The minister said productive relationships should be built around investment, enterprise, knowledge exchange and shared national interests.
He thanked Canada for its partnership with Nigeria and called for deeper relations based on mutual benefit.
The government said the Nigerian Diaspora Economic Conference provided a platform for converting diaspora success into investment, expertise and partnerships that could support the country’s development.
