Political Scientists Set Agenda For Newly Appointed Ambassadors

The Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA) has advised the recently appointed Nigerian ambassadors to develop effective strategies to penetrate official and unofficial structures in their countries of accreditation and to pursue economic diplomacy, encapsulated in the doctrine of 4Ds of the Nigerian state.

The association reminded the ambassadors that their performance would ultimately be measured by their ability to attract resources to the country.

The NPSA, in a statement signed by its president, Prof. Hassan Saliu, advised the ambassadors that defending the country’s interests and those of its citizens abroad is a cardinal responsibility of diplomacy.

It therefore urged them not to serve as cheerleaders in giving legitimacy to controversial charges levelled against Nigerians, expressing optimism that the new ambassadors would bring positive changes to Nigeria’s diplomatic landscape with their appointments.

The association noted that:” In the last couple of years, travelling Nigerians have had sour tales to narrate about their experiences with Nigeria’s diplomatic missions, showing neglect or outright abandonment of citizens. This somewhat uncaring attitude is expected to be consigned to the dustbin of history by Nigerians under the new ambassadors.”

“The effectiveness of the missions will then be measured by Nigerians’ level of satisfaction with their travel experiences. The ambassadors must bear this in mind and be prepared to change the narrative under their watch.

“Above all, diplomacy is a delicate and sensitive vocation that can be pursued with diligence and unspoken words when necessary. It has its own communication style, different from the traditional one that most political ambassadors are accustomed to. The work of any ambassador is to smooth relations between their country and those of other nations. This objective cannot be achieved if one is perpetually combative,” it added.

It, therefore, recommended a continuous training programme for the ambassadors, in addition to the traditional commencement retreat.

While noting that the image of the country abroad is no longer what it was in the 1970s, the association said,” the hope of reversing the trend rests on the new ambassadors, who need creative energy and a new vision to deliver on their mandate. ”

“Some Nigerians have reservations about the ambassadors’ ability to make an impact, given their diverse backgrounds.

“Controversial agreements have been reached with other entities in the international system, which Nigerians have not ceased to complain about, the latest being the agreement between the UK and Nigeria over port development. It will be a lot of the ambassadors to inject life into such agreements,” NPSA added.