FG Reaffirms Commitment to Security, Diaspora Investment

Amarachi Ihesiulo

August 17, 2026
3 min read
Nigerian diaspora

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening national security and harnessing the Nigerian diaspora as a critical resource for economic growth and national development.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye, stated this while speaking at the Nigerian Diaspora Economic Conference in Toronto, Canada, on Saturday night.

Enikanolaiye, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Strategic Communications, Richard Elesho, said the government was determined to address Nigeria’s security challenges while building stronger strategic partnerships with international allies.

He said security remained a major challenge for the country, stressing that the government was prepared to deploy all necessary measures to contain the threat through a multifaceted approach.

The minister also said Nigeria was entering a new phase of strategic partnerships with key international partners, including the United States, based on mutual respect and trust.

“I came in from Washington only yesterday. I was privileged to have been part of the team meeting with the Americans,” Enikanolaiye said.

He explained that the engagement with the United States was focused on achieving concrete outcomes for Nigerians in areas including security, defence, prosperity and the welfare of citizens.

The minister also highlighted the Federal Government’s renewed focus on Nigerians living abroad, describing the diaspora as an important source of human capital and expertise for national development.

He said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not view Nigerians in the diaspora as a burden but as critical contributors whose skills, knowledge and resources could support the country’s development priorities.

“For this government, Nigerians in the diaspora are critical assets of national development,” he said.

Enikanolaiye urged Nigerians at home and abroad to strengthen national unity by overcoming divisions based on ethnicity, religion and tribe.

He acknowledged the existence of a trust deficit among Nigerians but called for greater cooperation focused on production, development, economic growth and shared prosperity.

“We are aware of trust deficit that exist among Nigerians. Let us try and break those barriers of ethnicity, barriers of religion, barriers of tribe,” he said.

The minister also commended Canada and other international partners for their contributions towards building stronger relations with Nigeria, TheTrafficng gathered.

He said such partnerships should continue to be anchored on mutual respect, cooperation and practical contributions to Nigeria’s development.

The conference provides a platform for the Federal Government to engage Nigerians in the diaspora on investment opportunities, economic partnerships and ways of leveraging diaspora expertise to support national development.

Enikanolaiye said the government remained committed to deepening these partnerships while pursuing measures to improve security and create conditions for sustainable prosperity.