Lagos: Ex-Foreign Affairs Minister has called for the establishment of a Foreign Service Commission to enhance recruitment, training, and career progression within Nigeria’s foreign service. Chairing an event, he emphasized that creating such a commission would restore professionalism and rebuild confidence in Nigeria’s external engagements. The absence of a dedicated body, he argued, has weakened standards in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and discouraged career officers who desire a structured and merit-driven system.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, he expressed concern over career diplomats being increasingly sidelined in ambassadorial appointments, with many retiring without reaching the peak of their profession. This trend, he stated, has eroded morale and diminished the institutional strength of the service. Drawing from his time in office, he noted that Nigeria once maintained a balance between career and non-career ambassadors, with 70 percent of postings reserved for professionals and 30 percent for political appointees. This arrangement ensured continuity, competence, and institutional memory.
He urged the government to restore and improve the ratio in favor of career diplomats, suggesting an 80-20 formula to boost professionalism and efficiency in Nigeria’s diplomatic missions. He also commended Onobu for his dedication and professionalism, describing him as a reliable officer during his tenure as minister.
In his welcome address, Chairman of the Organising Committee, Ambassador Godknows Igali, described diplomacy as a largely invisible profession, conducted through discreet negotiations and confidential exchanges. Igali stated that diplomacy often occurs behind closed doors, through sensitive communications and delicate engagements, leading to a lack of public understanding of policy formulation and decision-making processes.
Igali praised Onobu’s nearly 1,000-page book as a landmark contribution to Nigeria’s foreign policy literature. The book provides detailed insights into policy formulation, implementation, and the realities of representing Nigeria abroad. Igali noted that the publication would be a valuable resource for scholars, policymakers, and younger diplomats seeking to understand Nigeria’s role in international relations. He encouraged both serving and retired diplomats to document their experiences to preserve institutional memory, hoping it would inspire more diplomats to write and leave records for future generations.
In his remarks, Onobu reflected on his diplomatic career spanning from 1975 to 2015, describing it as both demanding and fulfilling. He paid tribute to several former foreign ministers, particularly Nwachukwu and Bolaji Akinyemi, crediting them with shaping his professional outlook.