A convergence of Nigeria’s diplomatic community, security stakeholders, policy experts, and scholars is set to take place in Abuja on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
As the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN) will be hosting the first-ever Diplomatic/Security International Conference.
The event focus on the intersection of diplomacy, national security, Nigeria’s 4D Foreign Policy Strategy Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora spearheaded by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar.
This is a timely response to the growing need for informed, cross-sectoral collaboration in safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty and global interests.
It will bring together seasoned diplomats, representatives of foreign missions, security chiefs, media professionals, researchers, and civil society actors to dissect key issues shaping the nation’s international engagement and internal stability.
According to him, “Nigeria is undergoing a deep recalibration of its foreign policy doctrine under the 4D framework.
“We believe the media has a crucial role in amplifying these strategies, while experts and diplomats must align security and diplomacy with real-time global shifts. This conference offers that synergy.”
In recognition of outstanding contributions to diplomacy, peacebuilding, national cohesion, and security sector reforms, DICAN will present the prestigious DICAN Award of Excellence to 20 distinguished personalities and institutions who have demonstrated unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s progress and international stature.
Among those to be honoured are: the former President Goodluck Jonathan, for his enduring efforts in peace diplomacy and conflict resolution across Africa;
Retired Brigadier General Buba Marwa, Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), for his trailblazing anti-narcotics reforms;
Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace, for fostering regional connectivity, crisis evacuation, and supporting national diplomacy through aviation logistics;
Others on the honour roll include top security operatives, humanitarian actors, and institutions whose work has strengthened Nigeria’s international presence and internal security architecture.
The conference, the first of its kind in Nigeria, will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, and thought leadership sessions, with prominent speakers including:
Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs (Chief Host), The Minister of Defence, The Minister of Interior, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS,
DICAN, as the umbrella body for journalists covering the diplomatic and foreign affairs beats in Nigeria, views this international conference not just as a media initiative, but as a national dialogue to reinforce Nigeria’s place in global diplomacy while confronting existential security challenges.
According to him, “We are living in an era where diplomacy is not just about embassies and bilateral meetings. It is now an essential tool in combating transnational threats, shaping economic development, and projecting national interest. This conference creates that rare space for reflective, inclusive discourse.”
About DICAN: The Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN) is a non-partisan body of journalists reporting on Nigeria’s foreign policy, international diplomacy, and multilateral relations.
It serves as a bridge between the diplomatic corps and the Nigerian public, promoting transparency, accountability, and policy literacy through strategic reporting and stakeholder engagements.