Nigeria aims to link foreign policy to grassroots economic opportunities

Nigeria is working to align its foreign policy with domestic economic goals by increasing awareness of regional and continental trade agreements. During a sensitization workshop in Bauchi focused on the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS), the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, stated that the government is pursuing a ‘4D foreign policy framework’ that places Nigerian citizens at the center of its international engagements.

The initiative aims to connect foreign policy to the economic aspirations of Nigerians by encouraging private-sector participation in sectors such as agriculture, mining, and manufacturing. Officials noted that there is currently inadequate information available to businesses regarding the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the specific requirements for accessing continental markets.

By improving public understanding of these schemes, the government intends to help small, medium, and large enterprises expand beyond domestic markets, increase exports, and contribute to job creation and national social development.