By Nkechi Eze
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed Nigeria’s newly appointed ambassadors and high commissioners to prioritise the attraction of foreign investment, deepen strategic partnerships, and reposition the country’s global image in line with emerging diplomatic realities.
According to an official signed statement by the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yomi Odunuga, the President gave the charge on Monday during the opening of an induction course for the envoys at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
Represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, President Tinubu said the appointments reflected confidence in the envoys’ capacity to advance Nigeria’s interests globally.
He noted that the international system is undergoing significant changes driven by geopolitical shifts, economic uncertainty, technological disruptions, climate challenges, and evolving security threats, stressing that these developments have made diplomacy more critical.
“The international system is evolving rapidly. We must be prepared to meet these challenges by focusing on how best to protect and promote Nigeria’s national interest,” the President said.
He urged the envoys to adopt a results-oriented diplomatic approach that blends traditional engagement with digital diplomacy, public communication, and strategic outreach, while effectively projecting Nigeria’s image and the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The President emphasised the need for proactive engagement in promoting trade, attracting foreign direct investment, and facilitating technology transfer, while also prioritising the welfare and protection of Nigerians in the diaspora.
In a key policy announcement, President Tinubu unveiled a reordering of Nigeria’s foreign policy framework, the 4D Doctrine, shifting its focus from Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora to Demography, Development, Diaspora, and Democracy.
He explained that the adjustment places Nigerians at the centre of foreign policy, ensuring that international engagements translate into tangible benefits for citizens.
“This re-ordering has put the Nigerian people at the centre of our foreign policy agenda and is aimed at harnessing outcomes for their maximum benefit,” he stated.
President Tinubu further stressed the importance of professionalism, integrity, and accountability in diplomatic service, urging the envoys to be prudent in resource management and guided by measurable outcomes that contribute to national development.
He encouraged participants to take full advantage of the induction programme, describing it as essential for equipping them with the skills required to navigate a rapidly evolving global landscape.
The President also commended the National Assembly for the timely confirmation of the nominees and urged the envoys to justify the confidence placed in them.
“You have a special responsibility in helping to reposition Nigeria in global affairs. The world is watching,” he said.
