The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it will develop a soft power diplomacy model built on music, entertainment, tourism and other aspects of culture.
This is contained in a statement released by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye, on Friday in Abuja.
The minister said this when he received the leadership of the Ileya Omo Okun Generational Foundation (IOOGF) on a courtesy visit.
He said the move was to make the ministry’s policies more impactful on the daily lives of Nigerians at home and in the diaspora.
Enikanolaiye said culture had become a critical component of diplomacy through soft power, as against strong power options.
He said that soft power was an attempt to reach the minds of people through culture, which he defined as the total way of life of a people.
“We want to project our invaluable culture like music, food, dress code, history, artefacts, and creative industry, among others.
“Nigeria has enormous talents or resources in this area. We are determined to harness and promote them to the outside world,” he said.
The minister noted that the creative industry was dominated by hardworking Nigerians with little or no government support.
He said the President Ahmed Tinubu’s administration was determined to reposition the sector.
Enikanolaiye said preparations were ongoing for CANTEX, an upcoming cultural festival in Lagos, and urged his visitors to key into the initiative.
He condemned the activities of pirates and the unprotected state of the creative industry, saying he had long advocated protection of intellectual property.
The minister insisted that creative professionals should be allowed to enjoy the fruits of their labour.
Earlier, the Local Organising Committee Chairman of the Ileya Omo Okun Festival 2026, Mr Richard Akese, explained the rationale for the festival.
He said its features include recognition for motherhood (Iya ni Wura), the Trailblazer Award (Ogo Okun), beauty pageantry (Omidan Oge), Okun Super Cooking Competition and Zeetia Cares, an empowerment programme.
The festival’s convener, Yeye Omoleye Aiyelabowo, said her dream was to project Okun culture and develop Okun identity as a global brand.
She and her spouse congratulated the minister on his appointment, describing him as a pride to his kinsmen and the country. (NAN)
