The international order is undergoing significant transformation. Geopolitical tensions, economic realignments, tariffs and trade wars, security threats, climate change, and technological disruptions are reshaping the global landscape in ways that demand strategic recalibration from all nations. Traditional assumptions about democracy and markets are being questioned by state and non-state actors. As Africa’s most populous country and a key economic and diplomatic actor, Nigeria must protect and promote our values and commitment to democratic freedoms and the celebration of diversity, as we navigate these new complexities with foresight, pragmatism, and resilience.
First, I will outline how we understand the global context and how it shapes our diplomacy. I will then outline the foundational principles of our foreign policy. Finally, I will reflect on the broader responsibilities we all share to develop and implement a diplomacy fit for purpose in a world where uncertainties too often seem to mask more hidden opportunities.
The post-Cold War consensus that shaped global governance for the past three decades is increasingly fracturing. The resurgence of great power competition, the fragmentation of multilateralism, and the proliferation of regional conflicts have created a more unpredictable world than ever in our post-independence history.