Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has officially assumed duty, pledging to advance the country’s foreign policy objectives through the Federal Government’s 4-D agenda.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu took over leadership of the Ministry on Friday following her elevation by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
She was received at the Ministry’s headquarters by senior officials led by the Permanent Secretary, Dunoma Umar Ahmed, alongside heads of key agencies under the Ministry, including the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission and the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs.
In his remarks, Ahmed described her appointment as well deserved, noting that her previous role as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs demonstrated strong leadership and commitment to Nigeria’s diplomatic priorities. He assured her of the Ministry’s full support in advancing national interests, strengthening international partnerships, and protecting Nigerians abroad.
Representatives of agencies under the Ministry also pledged cooperation to ensure the success of her tenure.
In her inaugural address, the Minister expressed appreciation for the warm reception and reaffirmed her commitment to building on existing achievements. She emphasized the Federal Government’s 4-D foreign policy framework—Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Demography—as central to Nigeria’s global engagement.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu stressed the need for professionalism, innovation, and unity within the Ministry, while highlighting citizen diplomacy and strategic autonomy as key pillars of her approach.
She also pledged to prioritize staff welfare and improve service delivery, assuring that her leadership would focus on promoting Nigeria’s interests and safeguarding the welfare of Nigerians across the world.