Nigeria’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, on Friday officially assumed duty at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, pledging to strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements and advance the Federal Government’s 4D foreign policy agenda.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu resumed office following her elevation by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
She was received at the ministry by senior directors led by the Permanent Secretary, Dunoma Umar Ahmed, alongside heads of agencies under the ministry, including the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Technical Aid Corps and the Foreign Service Academy.
Speaking during the reception, Ambassador Ahmed congratulated the minister on her appointment, describing it as a recognition of her dedication and outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives.
He noted that she demonstrated “remarkable leadership and commitment” during her tenure as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and expressed confidence in her capacity to deepen Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements and international partnerships.
The permanent secretary also assured the minister of the ministry’s support in advancing the foreign policy priorities of the Tinubu administration, including the promotion of Nigeria’s national interests, protection of Nigerians abroad, attraction of foreign investment, and enhancement of bilateral and multilateral relations.
Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of agencies under the ministry, including the Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa, the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution and the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, as well as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, Olawale Emmanuel Awe, who all pledged support for the minister’s tenure.
In her remarks, Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed appreciation for the warm reception and reaffirmed her commitment to consolidating the achievements of the ministry under President Tinubu’s administration.
She reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to the implementation of Nigeria’s 4D Foreign Policy agenda anchored on Democracy, Development, Diaspora and Demography, while emphasising citizen diplomacy and strategic autonomy as key pillars of Nigeria’s international engagement.
The minister also stressed the need for professionalism, innovation, institutional efficiency and unity of purpose in addressing global challenges and promoting Nigeria’s strategic interests across regional, continental and global platforms.
She further commended the dedication of officers and staff of the ministry, assuring them of her commitment to staff welfare and improved service delivery.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu pledged to work closely with the ministry’s leadership and affiliated agencies to ensure effective implementation of Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives and protection of Nigerians abroad.
