Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has said Nigeria must leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area to harness her economic potentials
She said this while speaking to journalists after she and six others were sworn-in as ministers at the council chambers by President Tinubu.
Ojukwu, while speaking further, expressed her commitment to aligning herself 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.”
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 said.
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.