Nigeria Places Demography at the Heart of Foreign Policy, Says Amb Enikanolaiye
Oru LeonardÂ
The Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has declared that demography has become the driving force of Nigeria’s reformulated 4-Ds Foreign Policy, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to placing the Nigerian people at the centre of its diplomatic engagements.
Speaking at the National Diaspora Day 2026 and Merit Award Dinner held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Minister said the Renewed Hope Agenda has repositioned Nigeria’s foreign policy around the four pillars of Demography, Development, Democracy, and Diaspora, with demography serving as the foundation for advancing national interests.
Addressing diaspora leaders, diplomats and senior government officials, Enikanolaiye explained that the reformed foreign policy is designed to ensure that every diplomatic engagement delivers tangible benefits to Nigerians.
“Our foreign policy has been reformulated, focusing essentially on the Nigerian people, which is why demography has become our primary focus,” he said, adding that the diaspora remains a key pillar in achieving the objectives of the 4-Ds policy framework.
The Minister described the gathering as a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to harnessing the immense human and financial resources of Nigerians living abroad for sustainable national development.
He rejected narratives that portray migration negatively, insisting that migration should neither be criminalised nor weaponised. According to him, the Nigerian diaspora represents a clear example of “talent circulation” and “brain gain” rather than brain drain, as Nigerians abroad continue to contribute significantly to their host countries while also supporting development at home.
Enikanolaiye noted that although the Central Bank estimates diaspora remittances at about $21.8 billion annually, the actual figure is likely much higher due to undocumented transfers. He therefore called for stronger mechanisms to channel diaspora remittances into productive sectors of the economy.
The Minister reiterated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as the supervisory ministry for Diaspora, Indigenous and International Cooperation, does not regard Nigerians abroad as a consular burden but as one of the country’s greatest strategic assets.
Beyond remittances, he said the diaspora serves as a bridge for diplomacy, investment, innovation, technology transfer, professional exchange and international partnerships that can accelerate Nigeria’s development.
Linking ongoing economic reforms to the Demography pillar, Enikanolaiye said government initiatives under the Renewed Hope Agenda are aimed at creating a more attractive domestic environment capable of maximising the contributions of Nigerians in the diaspora.
He observed that the reforms have begun to stabilise the economy and are now transitioning towards delivering concrete development outcomes that will positively impact the lives of citizens.
The Minister also urged Nigerians in the diaspora to remain united and place national interest above ethnic or regional considerations, describing them as Nigeria’s true ambassadors across the world.
Drawing from his diplomatic experience in Canada and the United Kingdom, Enikanolaiye reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening ties between the Nigerian government and its citizens abroad while facilitating collaborations that will promote national development.
