NIGERIA’s transformation agenda under President Goodluck Jonathan’s leadership is focusing on the review of the nation’s foreign policy and using same to support the domestic policies of government.
Foreign Affairs Minister Olugbenga Ashiru stated this at the Infrastructure Conference organised by the Embassy of Nigeria in the U.S. in collaboration with a U.S.- based firm, Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), on Wednesday in Washington.
He said the shift was designed to strengthen economic relations with the international community as a foundation for domestic stability, development and growth.
According to him, Nigeria’s foreign policy is now tied to Foreign Direct Investment with emphasis on job creation, poverty alleviation and economic well-being of the citizens.
He added that under the new policy thrust, diplomatic missions had been directed to focus more on investment to support government’s domestic programs.
“Our ambassadors and diplomats will be the foot-soldiers in this new approach for the purpose of achieving our Vision 20:2020 and bringing economic benefits to Nigeria.
“We believe that our efforts at convincing potential investors must rest squarely on the transformation of the domestic programmes and conducive environment,’’ Ashiru said.
Also, the U.S. Assistant Secretary on African Affairs, Amb. Johnnie Carso, said that the U.S. government would continue to improve its relationship with Nigeria by promoting trade and investment in the country.
Carson said the U.S. would also encourage its citizens to continue to invest in infrastructure and other non-oil sectors in Nigeria.
According to him, the U.S. government will support Nigeria by partnering the country in order to make it the next world’s economic success story.
CCCA president Stephen Hayes said the agency would continue to support Nigeria in the area of directing foreign investment, adding that he was sure Nigeria would be one of the world’s economic giant in 2020.
He commended the transformation agenda for its motive to ensure good governance and human capital development.
Nigeria’s ambassador to the U.S., Prof. Ade Adefuye, said the Nigerian Embassy in Washington would ensure that Nigeria woos investors in the areas of infrastructure, agriculture, power, and aviation to the country.
Adefuye said that the recent investors’ forum on agriculture that Nigeria held in Washington produced positive results.
“We want to diversify our economy to the non-oil sectors in order to ensure that the country achieve its objectives as regards Vision 2020.
“Nigeria is trying to diversifying in the areas of agriculture, communication, power and aviation. Foreign investors should join hands with Nigeria to achieve its goals,” he said.