Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has pledged to establish a crèche for nursing mothers and implement measures to improve the welfare, career progression and professional development of female diplomats in the country’s Foreign Service.
The minister made the commitment on Monday while receiving members of the Women Ambassadors of Nigeria Network (WAN-NET), led by its Chairperson, Ambassador Dr. Eniola Ajayi, during a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Abuja.
Enikanolaiye said the ministry is committed to promoting gender inclusion and creating a more supportive work environment for women in the diplomatic service.
“We are committed to promoting gender inclusivity, reviewing relevant policies and supporting initiatives that enhance the participation and advancement of women in the diplomatic service,” he said.
He acknowledged challenges facing female officers, including career progression, work-life balance and policy limitations, assuring that the ministry would address them through institutional reforms.
As part of the reforms, the minister announced plans to establish a crèche for nursing mothers within the ministry.
“We will establish a crèche for nursing mothers to create a more supportive and family-friendly work environment for female officers and staff,” he said.
Enikanolaiye also reiterated the ministry’s commitment to implementing a people-centred foreign policy in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Nigeria’s foreign engagements must translate into tangible benefits for citizens, particularly in the areas of economic growth, investment attraction, innovation and diaspora engagement,” he said.
He added that the ministry would strengthen institutional capacity by improving professionalism, addressing funding challenges and enhancing policy coordination.
“We must strengthen institutional capacity, improve professionalism and increase public diplomacy to support national development,” the minister said.
Earlier, Chairperson of WAN-NET, Ambassador Dr. Eniola Ajayi, congratulated Enikanolaiye on his appointment and pledged the network’s support for the ministry’s reform agenda.
She said the association of serving and retired female ambassadors was established to support Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives, mentor younger diplomats and promote excellence in the Foreign Service.
“Our mandate is to harness the collective experience of our members to support Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives, mentor the next generation of diplomats and promote excellence in diplomatic service,” Ajayi said.
She also assured the minister of WAN-NET’s readiness to collaborate with the ministry in advancing Nigeria’s diplomatic priorities.
The meeting ended with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening collaboration in promoting Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives and enhancing the country’s global standing.