Uyo, Akwa Ibom, June 14, 2026 – Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has tasked newly appointed ambassadors and high commissioners to West African countries with making regional security collaboration a top priority in their diplomatic engagements.
She gave the directive during a strategic retreat organised for Nigeria’s envoys-designate to countries within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The minister stressed the importance of reinforcing Nigeria’s leadership role in the sub-region while advancing regional integration and collective security efforts.
According to her, the diplomats must build strong partnerships with host governments to improve intelligence exchange and strengthen cross-border security frameworks aimed at curbing smuggling, trafficking, and other transnational crimes.
She noted that the growing security challenges confronting countries in the region require coordinated responses, stressing that no nation can effectively tackle such threats in isolation.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also urged the envoys to place greater emphasis on citizen diplomacy, insisting that the welfare and protection of Nigerians living abroad must remain a central focus of their missions.
She said Nigerian diplomatic missions should serve as accessible and efficient centres for consular services while fostering stronger engagement with the Nigerian diaspora as contributors to national development.
The minister explained that the emphasis on West Africa aligns with Nigeria’s longstanding foreign policy framework, which places the sub-region at the heart of the country’s diplomatic priorities.
She described assignments to West African nations as strategic responsibilities that directly impact Nigeria’s national interests, regional influence, and international standing.
Highlighting developments across the sub-region, Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed concern over threats to democratic governance and political instability in some neighbouring countries, noting that such developments undermine regional unity and progress.
She called on the diplomats to actively promote democratic values, support the rule of law, encourage respect for human rights, and work with host governments to strengthen democratic institutions.
The minister further urged the envoys to pursue economic diplomacy by facilitating trade, investment, and business partnerships across the region.
She encouraged them to help remove obstacles hindering Nigerian businesses, while promoting cooperation in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, energy, and digital technology.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu concluded by urging the diplomats to attract investment opportunities to Nigeria and showcase the country’s innovations across West Africa, describing economic cooperation as a vital pillar of regional development and integration.