The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has described demography as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s reformulated 4-Ds Foreign Policy, saying the country’s foreign engagements are now firmly centred on improving the lives of Nigerians at home and abroad.
Speaking at the 2026 National Diaspora Day and Merit Award Dinner held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Minister said the Renewed Hope Agenda has repositioned foreign policy to prioritise the Nigerian people through the four pillars of Demography, Development, Democracy and Diaspora.
Enikanolaiye explained that demography has become the primary focus of the country’s foreign policy because every diplomatic engagement must deliver tangible benefits to Nigerians.
He described the event as a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to harnessing the immense human and economic potential of Nigerians in the diaspora for national development.
The Minister also rejected narratives that portray migration negatively, arguing that migration should not be criminalised, weaponised or demonised. Instead, he described it as a process of talent circulation that creates opportunities for “brain gain” rather than “brain drain.”
He commended Nigerians living abroad for their contributions to their host countries while also supporting development back home through investments, knowledge transfer and remittances.
While noting Central Bank estimates of about $6 million in monthly and $21.8 billion in annual remittances, Enikanolaiye said the actual figures are likely much higher due to undocumented inflows. He called for more effective strategies to channel diaspora remittances into productive sectors of the economy.
The Minister stressed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not regard Nigerians in the diaspora as a consular burden but as one of the nation’s greatest strategic assets, contributing to diplomacy, innovation, technology transfer, professional exchange and international partnerships.
He further linked ongoing economic reforms to the Demography pillar, saying the government is creating a more attractive investment climate that will strengthen the economy’s capacity to benefit from the expertise and resources of Nigerians abroad.
Addressing award recipients and diaspora leaders, Enikanolaiye urged them to remain united and always put Nigeria’s national interest above ethnic or regional affiliations.
He described Nigerians in the diaspora as the country’s true ambassadors, insisting that the actions of a few individuals should not define the image of millions of law-abiding Nigerians across the world.
Drawing from his diplomatic experience in Canada and the United Kingdom, the Minister reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to strengthening engagement with Nigerians abroad and fostering partnerships that will support national development.
