Nigeria's Minister Advocates for National Interest Focus

On Thursday, during a public presentation in Abuja, Nigeria's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, stressed the importance of pursuing national interests to secure the country's future. He articulated that Nigeria's foreign policy should be driven by national interests that deliver direct benefits to its citizens.

Enikanolaiye highlighted the need for Nigeria to maintain a strategic autonomy in its foreign relations, engaging with major global partners such as the United States, China, Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Brazil. He also pointed out that Nigeria's defense and economy shape its choices on the global stage, warning that without self-sufficiency, Nigeria risks remaining a pawn in global affairs.

The event also featured the book launch of "Shadow Power" by Rear Admiral Olusola Kolawole Oluwagbir, which examines the influence of major powers on Nigeria's national security. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Chief of Defense Staff General Martin Luther Agwai supported the book's arguments, emphasizing the need for home-grown solutions to Nigeria's security challenges.