Nigeria must be secure, stable before leading Africa, says Foreign Affairs Minister

Nigeria must solidify its economic, security, and internal stability before it can reclaim its leadership role in Africa and project greater global influence, according to Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye. Speaking in Abuja at the launch of a book titled "Shadows of Power," Enikanolaiye emphasized that the Federal Government's "Nigeria First" policy places the nation's interests at the core of all diplomatic efforts.

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You cannot have a dynamic and activist foreign policy if the home is weak, if the country is disunited, and if there is no harmony in Nigeria. How can you go outside and be taken seriously?

This policy aims to strengthen Nigeria's domestic foundations as a prerequisite for a more dynamic foreign policy. "You cannot have a dynamic and activist foreign policy if the home is weak, if the country is disunited, and if there is no harmony in Nigeria. How can you go outside and be taken seriously?" the minister questioned. He believes that these objectives are mutually reinforcing, stating, "Nigeria has to be secure and stable before it can effectively play the activist role in foreign policy that it traditionally played during the liberation struggle and other continental engagements."

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Nigeria has to be secure and stable before it can effectively play the activist role in foreign policy that it traditionally played during the liberation struggle and other continental engagements.

The minister explained that the country's foreign policy is now guided by the "Nigeria First" doctrine, focusing on advancing national interests, security, economic prosperity, and the welfare of citizens. The motto of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "Nigeria First," underscores that every foreign policy action must serve Nigeria's interests. "We are locating Nigeria and Nigerians at the core of our foreign policy priorities so that our national interests, security, defence and economic prosperity remain central to our diplomatic engagements," he said.

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We are locating Nigeria and Nigerians at the core of our foreign policy priorities so that our national interests, security, defence and economic prosperity remain central to our diplomatic engagements.

While reaffirming Nigeria's commitment to Africa, Enikanolaiye noted that the government is recalibrating its foreign policy approach to ensure domestic priorities receive adequate attention. He highlighted that Nigeria and its immediate neighbors are the primary focus of diplomatic engagement due to their interconnected security and economic interests. "Our neighbours, our security, prosperity and development are intrinsically linked. If they are not secure, it has implications for us," he stated. Nigeria will continue to pursue strategic autonomy, aligning foreign engagements strictly with national interests rather than ideological considerations, and remains open to partnerships with both Western and Eastern countries.

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Our neighbours, our security, prosperity and development are intrinsically linked. If they are not secure, it has implications for us.