The Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, received the Management Team and Directorate of the Center for Foreign Studies and Languages of the University of Abuja, now Yakubu Gowon University, on a courtesy visit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja.
The delegation was led by Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi the Vice-Chancellor of the University. Ambassador Enikanolaiye welcomed the delegation and reaffirmed the need to align Nigeria’s foreign policy with the national development priorities of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, anchored on the 4Ds Foreign Policy Doctrine: Demography, Development, Democracy,
and Diaspora.
The Minister stated that foreign policy must be centered on the Nigerian people and must deliver tangible outcomes in prosperity, job creation, security, and overall well-being. He noted that democracy and security are means to achieving improved living standards for citizens.
He further highlighted ongoing efforts to reform the internal structures and human resource capacity of the Ministry. He identified training, retraining, and research as essential for building a professional and responsive Foreign Service that meets current global realities.
Speaking further, the Minister outlined potential areas for partnership between the Ministry and Yakubu Gowon University to include:
1. Capacity Building and Training: Collaboration to strengthen mid-career training programs within the Ministry and to revitalize the Nigerian Foreign Service Academy. Reference was made to previous exchange and sabbatical programs between the Ministry and the University as a foundation to build upon.
2. Policy Research and Data Gathering: Engagement of the University to produce research and policy papers to support evidence-based foreign policy formulation and decision making.
3. Migration Management: The Ministry reaffirmed its position in support of managed migration that protects the interests of Nigerians while maximizing benefits for countries of origin and destination. Ongoing discussions with partner countries on structured migration arrangements were noted.
4.ECOWAS Sensitization: The Ministry will work with the University as a pilot institution to establish ECOWAS Clubs in tertiary institutions across the country to increase awareness of ECOWAS activities among students.
The Minister directed relevant Directors to work with the University to develop modalities for a platform to facilitate regular interaction between the University and Ambassadors and High Commissioners resident in Nigeria.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, speaking on behalf of the Governing Council, Senate, Management, Staff and Students, expressed appreciation to the Minister for the reception.
He stated that Yakubu Gowon University, as the only Federal conventional university in the FCT with a student population of over 40,000, is well positioned to collaborate with the Ministry.
He identified the University’s Directorate of Foreign Studies and Foreign Languages and the Centre for Migration and Security Studies as key units available for partnership in the areas of staff and student exchanges, educational and cultural programs, and professional postgraduate training for staff of the Ministry and members of the Diplomatic Corps.
The Vice-Chancellor also requested the Ministry’s support in organizing a forum to bring together Ambassadors and High Commissioners to explore areas of collaboration with the University.
Both parties agreed to set up a joint working team to finalize modalities for the implementation of the areas of cooperation agreed upon.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains committed to strengthening collaboration with academic institutions to enhance Nigeria’s foreign policy, improve diplomatic capacity, and project a positive image of the country internationally.
Signed:
Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, anipr
Spokesperson,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja.
Thursday 6th August 2026
