Former Foreign Affairs Minister seeks establishment of Foreign Service Commission

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ike Nwachukwu, on Tuesday, called on the Federal Government to establish a Foreign Service Commission to boost professionalism and strengthen diplomacy.

Nwachukwu made the call in Abuja at the public presentation of “Fragments of Time: My Foreign Service Years,” a new book authored by veteran diplomat, Eineje Onobu.

Chairing the event, he argued that creating a dedicated commission to oversee recruitment, training and career progression in the foreign service would restore professionalism and rebuild confidence in Nigeria’s external engagements.

He said that the absence of such a body has weakened standards within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and discouraged career officers who expect a structured and merit-driven system.

“It is time to establish a Foreign Service Commission that will ensure only the best minds enter the service and are properly groomed to represent Nigeria as ambassadors across the world,” Nwachukwu said.

He expressed concern that career diplomats are increasingly sidelined in ambassadorial appointments, with many officers retiring without reaching the peak of their profession.

According to him, this trend has eroded morale and diminished the institutional strength of the service.

Drawing from his time in office, Nwachukwu recalled that Nigeria once maintained a deliberate balance between career and non-career ambassadors, with 70 per cent of postings reserved for professionals and 30 per cent for political appointees.

He said that arrangement ensured continuity, competence and institutional memory.

Nwachukwu urged the government to restore and even improve the ratio in favour of career diplomats, suggesting an 80–20 formula to strengthen professionalism and efficiency in Nigeria’s diplomatic missions.

He also commended Onobu for his dedication and professionalism, describing him as one of the most reliable officers he worked with as minister.

In his welcome address, Chairman of the Organising Committee, Amb. Godknows Igali, described diplomacy as a largely invisible profession conducted through discreet negotiations and confidential exchanges that rarely attract public attention.

“Diplomacy is often carried out behind closed doors through sensitive communications and delicate engagements.

“As a result, many people do not fully understand how policies are formulated or decisions are reached,” Igali said.

He described Onobu’s nearly 1,000-page book as a landmark contribution to Nigeria’s foreign policy literature, offering detailed insights into policy formulation, implementation and the realities of representing the country abroad.

Igali noted that the publication would serve as a valuable resource for scholars, policymakers and younger diplomats seeking to understand Nigeria’s role in international relations.

He urged both serving and retired diplomats to emulate Onobu by documenting their experiences to preserve institutional memory.

“We hope this will inspire more diplomats to write and leave records that can guide future generations,” he said. (NAN)

In his remarks, Onobu reflected on a diplomatic career spanning four decades, from 1975 to 2015, describing it as both demanding and fulfilling.

He paid tribute to several former foreign ministers, particularly Nwachukwu and Bolaji Akinyemi, whom he credited with shaping his professional outlook.

Among them, he said, Nwachukwu made the most enduring impact by fostering professionalism and mentoring officers within the ministry.(NAN)