- Nigeria’s new Foreign Affairs Minister pledges full support for President Tinubu’s foreign policy agenda, focusing on democracy, development, and youth empowerment
- Ojukwu emphasises the importance of Nigeria’s young population and their potential to drive innovation and economic growth
- Ojukwu commits to enhancing consular services and building stronger ties with Nigeria’s diaspora to boost investment and support national development
Nigeria's newly appointed Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, has pledged her full support for President Bola Tinubu’s foreign policy agenda, known as the "4Ds" — focusing on democracy, development, demographic engagement, and diaspora collaboration.
Speaking to journalists after her swearing-in ceremony at the Presidential Villa on Monday, November 4, Ojukwu, the widow of Nigerian political icon Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, outlined her vision for the country’s foreign relations, emphasising her commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s international ties and leveraging its demographic and economic strengths.
In her address, Ojukwu expressed unwavering support for President Tinubu’s foreign policy framework, which aims to enhance Nigeria’s global influence while addressing key challenges facing the country and the African continent.
She highlighted the need to prioritise democracy, economic development, and strategic engagement with Nigeria’s youth and diaspora communities as central pillars of her work.
"I am fully committed to the President’s foreign policy thrust," Ojukwu stated.
“We must harness the AfCFTA to unlock Nigeria’s economic potential and create more opportunities for our people,” Ojukwu said.
“The trade agreement provides a powerful platform for us to engage with other African nations, boost trade, and drive economic growth.”
Ojukwu also emphasised the importance of Nigeria's youthful population, which constitutes over 70 per cent of the country’s population under the age of 43.
Describing the country’s youth as a major asset, she stressed the need to focus on their economic and creative potential to drive national development.
“Our youth are at the heart of Nigeria’s future,” Ojukwu said.
“We have a unique demographic advantage, and we intend to fully utilize this resource to fuel economic growth and innovation. By integrating our youth into the global conversation, we can ensure that they contribute to both Nigeria’s prosperity and the continent’s development.”
In addition, Ojukwu highlighted the critical role of Nigeria’s diaspora, which sends home an estimated $22 billion annually in remittances.
She stated that her ministry would prioritize building stronger ties with the diaspora to foster greater financial collaboration and investment in Nigeria’s development.
"We must deepen our relationship with the Nigerian diaspora and create opportunities for them to invest in the country," Ojukwu said.
"They play a vital role in our development, and we intend to engage them in meaningful ways."
As part of her commitment to improving the welfare of Nigerians abroad, Ojukwu pledged to enhance consular services to ensure that Nigerians living overseas receive the support they need.
“We want Nigerians abroad to feel valued and supported by their government,”
“We will work to improve consular services, ensuring that our citizens abroad are not only cared for but also empowered to contribute to Nigeria’s growth.” she added.
“Playing games”: Nigerians react as President reshuffles ministers, appoints Bianca, others
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that in a bid to streamline administration for more effective governance, President Tinubu announced a reshuffle of his cabinet, which had elicited mixed reactions from the Nigerian public.
Numerous Nigerians reacted to the move by the president. Some hailed him for the reshuffle while others expressed their disagreement.
