The federal government unveiled a new foreign policy dubbed the “4Ds” yesterday, focusing on leveraging Nigeria’s global relationships.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, introduced this innovative concept to the diplomatic community and stakeholders in Abuja, emphasizing its core principles: Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora.
Upon assuming office, Minister Tuggar had announced this policy, highlighting its commitment to addressing national challenges with modern solutions.
The official launch aimed to provide momentum for the Minister to effectively implement and elevate the 4Ds policy.
Tuggar emphasized that Nigeria and Africa’s development aligns with a new vision articulated in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s foreign policy concept. He underlined the significance of democracy, citing it as the universally accepted form of government that ensures freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. Nigeria expressed dedication to enhancing democracy across Africa.
Despite acknowledging challenges, Minister Tuggar asserted the imperative of upholding democracy as the best governance model to represent the people’s will. The formal launch also introduced “Atrium,” an initiative creatively promoting Nigeria’s strategic interests to both local and international communities.
The Minister said: “Being the largest democracy on the continent, the President’s keen interest in democracy as one of the 4Ds, is underscored by the opportunities that come with it as well as the challenges that confront it, especially in places where we are currently witnessing recourse to the unconstitutional change of government.
“This tendency which was initially localized in West Africa, appears to be gaining momentum as echoes of the coup attempt in Guatemala in South America rented the airwaves recently. For us as a country, democracy is what we have and what we must cherish. We will continue to encourage this both in Africa and across the world.
“There is need for the removal of major impediments to development in Nigeria and the African continent, as the continuous cycle of dependency does not favour our socio-economic growth and development.”
The Minister also harped on the need to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA) to facilitate the exchange of goods and services while fast-track trade and investments through economic cooperation, fair trade, global health initiatives, stable and transparent global governance as well as building capacity for entrenching sustainable socio-economic development.
“Our population is currently estimated to be over 200 million people. This alludes to the country’s greatness and how its human capital endowment can be harnessed for national development, which informs the importance accorded to the 4-Ds
Foreign Policy of the President. We are happy to state that the youth population of this country is soaring high in Fintech, Music, Arts and Sports.”
“It is also important to underscore the fact that Nigerian Diaspora community plays a pivotal role in the development of the nation. These hardworking Nigerians all over the world have demonstrated in different capacities, their talents and skills and have in turn, been great ambassadors of this great nation.”
The Minister appreciated that the remittances of Nigerians living abroad is a significant contribution to Nigeria’s economic growth and development.
