From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has expressed her commitment to aligning with the Bola Tinubu administration’s foreign policy goals, saying, “I am fully committed to keying into the foreign policy thrust of this government, which focuses on the 4Ds of democracy, development, demographic engagement, and diaspora collaboration.”
She said this while speaking to State House Correspondents after she and six others were sworn-in as ministers at the council chambers by President Tinubu yesterday.
The widow of the late Biafran leader, Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, emphasised the importance of strengthening democratic institutions across Africa. “We must leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area to harness our economic potentials,” she noted, highlighting Nigeria’s youthful demographic with 70 percent of its population under 30. “This is a huge demographic that we intend to engage actively,” she added.
Ojukwu also pointed out the significant contributions of the Nigerian diasporans, who remit approximately $22 billion annually. “If we can partner with them and ensure their involvement in our initiatives, it will enhance service delivery for our citizens abroad,” she stated, underscoring her commitment to improving consular services and ensuring that Nigerians living overseas feel valued by their government. Minister of Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, echoed similar sentiments. Nigeria’s economic potential. “For about the last nine years, I have been working on business climate reforms,” she said.
Oduwole stressed the need to optimise the AfCFTA for Nigerian businesses and ensure that both domestic and foreign investments are retained. “We need productive jobs that deliver value for Nigerians,” she emphasised.
She also highlighted the importance of aligning trade agendas with monetary and fiscal policies. “This is significant and imperative; we will prioritise these in the short term,” she concluded.
Both ministers’ appointments are part of a broader cabinet reshuffle aimed at reinvigorating Tinubu’s administration and addressing Nigeria’s pressing economic challenges.