By Isah Aliyu Chiroma
On the journey for a structured diplomatic policy, Nigeria is putting itself on the world map, to address cardinal issues, with a significant approach, towards creating a new Nigeria, a hub for investment and development, utilizing its population to full potentials. This will make Nigeria a center for democracy, while its skilled migrants are treated with dignity and respect in the diaspora.
Through diplomatic policies, Nigeria will create enabling environment for skilled citizens, to live and work abroad, with utmost dignity and respect. Without dignity and respect, working environment becomes a barrier, towards unproductive outcome.
The doctrine of foreign policy, focusing on the 4D’s, democracy, development, demography and diaspora is a holistic approach, to build a Nigerian with focused vision. Nigeria can focus on enhancing its economy through infrastructure, manufacturing and agriculture. Those key sectors will harness the potentials we have. While considering the country’s population, Nigeria needs to partner with other countries and solicit investment.
Infrastructure is the key to development, investing in both economic and social infrastructure. Nigeria has secured $2 billion worth of infrastructure investments. This will create an enabling environment for development, with foreign investors hooked towards investing multibillion dollars.
Those policies put in place, will align with the agenda, to achieve the objectives of foreign affairs. Through partnership with countries like China, the US and Brazil, Nigeria will be able to harness its potential. This will require a sizable workforce to cater for the population, utilizing our demography, creating opportunities for the population.
The diaspora is a key aspect that needs urgent attention. A lot of incidences have happened, disrupting some cordial relationship with some countries. Those issues can only be addressed through proper scrutiny and setting standards that will work between both countries. Just like the issue of the UAE denying visas to Nigerians. If few people can go ahead to misrepresent Nigeria in the diaspora, it will affect our bigger image as a nation, which will eventually put hold to the existing relationships with those countries.
Through diplomatic and international relations endeavors, the Foreign Affairs ministry plays significant role in propelling economic growth. This will support the promotion of international commerce and investment prospects. Through cultivating robust diplomatic connections and securing advantageous trade accords, it will open doors for enterprises to penetrate untapped markets, draw in foreign capital, and invigorate economic activity.
The ministry through economic diplomacy, which includes using diplomatic channels to further economic goals, can boost Nigerian’s economy. This entails pushing for advantageous economic policies on a global scale, encouraging collaborations between domestic and foreign businesses, and encouraging the export of goods and services.
In order to see an inch of movement on the ground, you often have to put in a mile of effort. We need an economy of revival, with an environment that is urban renewed and a diverse society, with harmonious co-existence.
To achieve this, we need to make ideas to desired outcomes. Creating a diverse economy, through partnership for development, it will take our dedication and effort, to create the kind of country we want. Prediction and high expectations cannot replace the actual work we need to do on this path.
The ministry’s endeavors in international cooperation, economic diplomacy, and diplomatic relations are crucial in propelling the country’s economic expansion, generating job opportunities, and boosting its competitiveness internationally. This will continue to place Nigeria at the global stage, where we will be open for global opportunities.
