The Federal Government is stepping up efforts to bring Artificial Intelligence (AI) into Nigeria’s foreign policy as it looks to strengthen digital diplomacy and give the country a stronger voice in global technology discussions.
The commitment was restated during a seminar on digital diplomacy organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where senior officials stressed that technology is rapidly changing how countries engage with one another.
Opening the seminar, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ambassador Janet Olisa Enikanolaiye, urged participants to move beyond discussions and produce practical recommendations that would strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic capacity in an increasingly digital world.
She said the ideas generated at the seminar should help modernise Nigeria’s foreign policy, improve diplomatic engagement and increase the country’s influence in regional and global digital governance.
According to her, the Ministry is determined to build a digitally skilled Foreign Service that can respond effectively to the opportunities and challenges created by rapid technological advancement.
She expressed confidence that embracing AI and other digital tools would make Nigeria’s foreign policy more innovative, responsive and better equipped to protect the country’s interests on the global stage.
Enikanolaiye also praised the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, for driving reforms aimed at repositioning the Ministry to meet the demands of modern diplomacy.
She noted that the Minister’s reform agenda focuses on equipping Nigeria’s diplomats with the digital knowledge and practical skills needed to succeed in today’s fast-changing international environment.
The Permanent Secretary also commended the British High Commission in Abuja for partnering with the Ministry to organise the seminar, describing the collaboration as a strong example of how international partnerships can promote innovation, knowledge sharing and institutional development.
She said the partnership would further strengthen bilateral relations while supporting Nigeria’s efforts to make better use of digital technologies in diplomacy.
Declaring the seminar open, Enikanolaiye reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to accelerating digital transformation across Nigeria’s Foreign Service, stressing that AI and digital diplomacy are now essential tools for improving Nigeria’s global visibility, competitiveness and leadership.
She added that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s wider plan to harness emerging technologies to improve governance, strengthen international engagement and position Nigeria as a major player in the global digital economy.
