The Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN) will host its International Conference on Diplomatic, Security, Trade, and Investment on May 20. Around 100 diplomatic missions have confirmed attendance, including the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and representatives from ECOWAS. The event will also draw top officials from Nigeria's security and intelligence agencies, trade bodies, policymakers, and civil society organisations. The conference aims to strengthen collaboration on regional security, economic partnerships, and diplomatic engagement. Specific agenda items include cross-border crime, investment frameworks, and multilateral trade opportunities in West Africa.
That DICAN has drawn 100 diplomatic missions and key regional actors for a single conference suggests growing confidence in its convening power. With the European Union Ambassador and ECOWAS attending, the event offers Nigerian officials a rare platform to align on security and trade without grandstanding. Whether this leads to tangible shifts in how Nigeria engages foreign partners depends on follow-through, not attendance. For now, the turnout alone signals that the country's diplomatic circles are being taken seriously.
