19 hours ago
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The newly appointed Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, has expressed her dedication to advancing the foreign policy initiatives under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Ojukwu, the widow of the late Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, made her remarks shortly after being sworn in by President Tinubu at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, alongside six other newly appointed ministers.
Speaking to State House correspondents, Ojukwu outlined her commitment to leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a key tool for Nigeria to unlock and harness its economic potential across the continent.
She emphasized that AfCFTA offers Nigeria substantial opportunities to expand its trade relationships, attract investment, and promote economic growth within Africa.
Drawing from her previous diplomatic experience, Ojukwu, who previously held a foreign mission role, promised to focus on strengthening democratic institutions across African nations.
Ojukwu’s appointment adds a historical resonance, as she is not only recognized for her diplomatic expertise but also for her previous achievement as Nigeria’s “Most Beautiful Girl” pageant winner.
According to her, “In this respect, I am fully committed to keying into the foreign policy thrust of this government.
“The President has actually made things much easier by building the foreign policy thrust of his administration. The 4Ds comprise of democracy, development, demographic engagement, and diaspora collaboration.”
She said, “We must leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area to harness our economic potentials.”
The Minister also said she would be looking at the nation’s demography, adding, “we have a huge youth population in Nigeria. 70 percent of the population is under the age of 43, so that’s a huge demographic.
“We intend in this administration to leverage on the creative potentials, on the skills on the huge capital that these young people have to bring to the country, and of course the diaspora.
“We have a diaspora that remits annually, $22 billion, we have a Diaspora that is doing so well all over the world, and if we can partner with them and ensure that we bring them into the administration’s initiatives and use them also to forge strategic partnerships with financial institutions all over the world, that will in no small way enhance the workings on the service delivery for the Foreign Minister.
“And of course, ensuring that consular services abroad are much more effective, and our citizens abroad are much happier with what they are receiving, and get that sense that their government truly cares for their welfare. Thank you very much.”
Also speaking to journalists, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, echoed similar sentiments regarding Nigeria’s economic potential.
She said, “For about the last nine years, I have been working on business climate reforms.”
Oduwole, stressed the need to optimize the AfCFTA for Nigerian businesses and ensure that both domestic and foreign investments are retained.
“We need productive jobs that deliver value for Nigerians,” she emphasised.
She also highlighted the importance of aligning trade agenda with monetary and fiscal policies, saying, “this is significant and imperative; we will prioritize these in the short term.”
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