The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has said Nigeria's reformulated foreign policy now places demography at its core, stressing that all diplomatic engagements must directly benefit the Nigerian people.
Speaking at the 2026 National Diaspora Day and Merit Award Dinner held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Enikanolaiye said the Demography pillar has become the primary focus of Nigeria's 4-D Foreign Policy framework—Demography, Development, Democracy and Diaspora—in line with President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.
Addressing diaspora leaders, diplomats and senior government officials, the minister explained that the country's foreign policy had been redesigned to focus on the welfare and aspirations of Nigerians.
He said every aspect of the policy, including diaspora engagement, must deliver tangible benefits to citizens and reaffirmed the Federal Government's commitment to leveraging the expertise, investments and global networks of Nigerians abroad for national development.
Enikanolaiye also dismissed negative perceptions surrounding migration, arguing that migration should neither be criminalised nor weaponised. Instead, he described it as a source of "talent circulation" and "brain gain" rather than brain drain, noting that Nigerians abroad continue to make valuable contributions to both their host countries and Nigeria.
The minister said while Central Bank estimates put diaspora remittances at about $21.8 billion annually, the actual figures are likely much higher because many transfers remain undocumented.
He called for improved mechanisms to channel diaspora remittances into productive sectors of the economy.
According to him, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which supervises diaspora, indigenous and international cooperation matters, views Nigerians abroad as strategic national assets rather than a consular burden.
Beyond remittances, he said the diaspora plays a vital role in diplomacy, technology transfer, innovation, professional exchanges and international partnerships.
Enikanolaiye further linked the government's ongoing economic reforms to the Demography pillar, saying efforts are underway to strengthen the domestic economy and create conditions that will enable Nigeria to maximise the benefits of its diaspora population.
He noted that the reforms had begun to stabilise the economy and were now transitioning towards broader development expected to improve the lives of Nigerians.
Urging Nigerians in the diaspora to remain united, the minister called on them to put national interest above ethnic and regional affiliations, describing them as the country's true ambassadors.
Drawing from his diplomatic experience in Canada and the United Kingdom, he reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to strengthening engagement with Nigerians abroad and facilitating partnerships that support national development.