By Gabriel Ameh
Abuja, Nigeria — Nigeria’s newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has officially assumed office, reaffirming her commitment to advancing the Federal Government’s 4D Foreign Policy agenda anchored on Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Demography.
The Minister resumed duty on Friday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Abuja following her elevation by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
She was received by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, alongside senior directors and heads of agencies under the Ministry, including the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), the Technical Aid Corps, and the Foreign Service Academy.
In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed congratulated the Minister on her appointment, describing it as a reflection of her professionalism, dedication, and contributions to Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives during her previous role as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
The Permanent Secretary expressed confidence in her ability to strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements, international partnerships, and foreign policy priorities, while assuring her of the Ministry’s full support and cooperation.
Representatives of agencies under the Ministry also delivered goodwill messages, pledging collaboration towards achieving the Ministry’s strategic goals under her leadership.
Speaking during the event, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu thanked the Ministry’s leadership and staff for the warm reception and pledged to consolidate on the achievements already recorded under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
She reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to implementing the 4D Foreign Policy agenda, while emphasizing citizen diplomacy and strategic autonomy as key pillars of Nigeria’s international engagement.
The Minister also stressed the need for professionalism, innovation, institutional efficiency, and unity in addressing global challenges and advancing Nigeria’s interests at regional, continental, and international levels.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu further assured staff of her commitment to welfare, effective service delivery, and stronger collaboration with agencies under the Ministry to protect the interests and welfare of Nigerians abroad.
