The Federal Government says Nigeria is strengthening its strategic engagement with the United States as part of efforts to improve national security, strengthen defence cooperation and create greater economic opportunities for Nigerians.

According to ARISE News, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, disclosed this during the dinner of the Nigerian Diaspora Economic Conference in Toronto, Canada.

Enikanolaiye said the government was entering what he described as a new phase of strategic autonomy in its relations with key international partners, including the United States.

The minister, who recently returned from Washington, said he was part of a Nigerian delegation that held high-level discussions with American officials.

“I came in from Washington only yesterday. I was privileged to have been part of the team meeting with the Americans,” he said.

According to him, the renewed engagement is focused on securing practical benefits for Nigeria rather than maintaining diplomatic relationships without measurable outcomes.

He said the government was seeking concrete gains in areas such as security, defence, economic prosperity and the welfare of Nigerians.

Enikanolaiye said the international engagements were particularly important as Nigeria continues to face security threats that have persisted for more than a decade.

He acknowledged security as one of the country’s major challenges but said the administration of President Bola Tinubu was using available measures to curb the threats.

“Security remains a major challenge, but the current administration is doing everything humanly possible to ensure that we contain these that have been with us in multifaceted manner for the past 10 or so years,” he said.

The minister also identified Nigerians living abroad as an important resource in the government’s development strategy.

He said the Federal Government was shifting its approach to diaspora engagement by focusing on the skills, expertise, capital and international networks that Nigerians abroad can contribute to the country.

“For this government, Nigerians in the diaspora are critical assets of national development,” he said.

Enikanolaiye said the government was seeking to utilise the capabilities of the diaspora to support national development priorities and complement domestic efforts.

He added that stronger international partnerships, combined with greater participation from Nigerians abroad, could help Nigeria advance its security and economic interests.

The minister said the government remained committed to partnerships capable of producing tangible outcomes for Nigerians as it pursues its broader national development objectives.