The Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s Foreign Service by leveraging the vast experience and institutional knowledge of retired diplomats. He made the statement on Wednesday, 8 July 2026, while receiving a group of retired Ambassadors led by Amb. Roddy Igwebuike Nwokeabia on a courtesy visit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tafawa Balewa House, Abuja.
The delegation congratulated the Honourable Minister of State on his appointment and expressed confidence in his capacity to reposition the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Amb. Roddy Igwebuike Nwokeabia described the appointment of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs as timely and well deserved, noting that Ambassador Enikanolaiye’s wealth of experience, professionalism and institutional knowledge uniquely positioned him to drive the ongoing reform of the Ministry.
The retired ambassadors underscored the importance of preserving the institutional memory of Nigeria’s Foreign Service through sustained engagement with retired diplomats. They reaffirmed their readiness to support the Ministry by providing professional guidance, mentoring younger officers and contributing to initiatives aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s diplomacy and advancing the country’s foreign policy objectives.
Responding, the Honourable Minister of State expressed appreciation for the goodwill extended to him since his assumption of duty and commended the retired ambassadors for their decades of dedicated service to Nigeria’s diplomatic corps. He described the retired ambassadors as distinguished colleagues and mentors whose invaluable contributions had shaped the growth and development of the Ministry over the years.
Ambassador Enikanolaiye noted that the Ministry would establish a structured framework to engage retired ambassadors in institutional development through in-house training, capacity building, mentorship and policy support. He explained that the initiative would strengthen the institutional memory of the Ministry while providing younger Foreign Service officers with practical diplomatic knowledge, professional ethics and leadership guidance drawn from the experiences of senior diplomats.
The Honourable Minister of State further disclosed that the Ministry would continue to create opportunities for retired ambassadors to participate in policy retreats, seminars, strategic consultations and other professional engagements where their expertise would contribute to strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic service. He emphasised that the repositioning of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a shared responsibility and called for sustained partnership between serving and retired diplomats to promote professionalism, preserve institutional continuity and advance Nigeria’s national interests.
Signed:
Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, anipr
Spokesperson
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja
Thursday 9, July 2026
