By Zainab Bakare
Nigeria’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has officially assumed office following her elevation by President Bola Tinubu as the country’s substantive Foreign Affairs Minister.
Her assumption of office was confirmed in a statement issued on Friday by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu was received at the ministry’s headquarters by top management officials led by the Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed, alongside Directors-General of agencies under the ministry. Among the agencies represented were the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, the Technical Aid Corps, the Foreign Service Academy, and the Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa.
Welcoming the minister, Ambassador Ahmed described her appointment as a testament to her dedication, professionalism, and contributions to Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives. He praised her performance during her tenure as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, expressing confidence in her ability to deepen Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements and strengthen international partnerships.
The Permanent Secretary also assured the minister of the ministry’s full support in advancing the Federal Government’s foreign policy priorities, including protecting Nigerians abroad, promoting national interests, attracting foreign investment, and enhancing bilateral and multilateral relations.
Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of agencies under the ministry, while Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Ambassador Olawale Emmanuel Awe, pledged collaboration toward the success of her tenure.
In her remarks, Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed appreciation for the warm reception and reaffirmed her commitment to consolidating the achievements of the ministry under the Tinubu administration.
She reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to Nigeria’s 4D Foreign Policy agenda anchored on Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Demography, noting that citizen diplomacy and strategic autonomy would remain central to Nigeria’s global engagements.
The minister further stressed the need for professionalism, institutional efficiency, innovation, and unity in addressing contemporary global challenges and advancing Nigeria’s strategic interests at regional, continental, and international levels.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also commended the dedication of officers and staff of the ministry, assuring them of her commitment to staff welfare and improved service delivery as she begins her tenure as Nigeria’s chief diplomat.
