Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has yet to replace the ambassadors he recalled a year ago, leaving only the country’s UN permanent representative. Nigeria has 109 diplomatic missions worldwide, comprising 76 embassies, 22 high commissions and 11 consulates. The Conversation Africa asked Sheriff Folarin, an international relations expert and the author of a new book, Declining Hegemonic Foreign Policies of Nigeria, to explain the implications of a Nigeria without ambassadors.
Why does a country need ambassadors?
Mutual diplomatic representation is important for understanding and cooperation between states. Diplomatic representatives or ambassadors, high commissioners or envoys facilitate interstate cooperation and relations. This keeps the temperature in the international system cool and stable. Ambassadors are sometimes regarded as the eyes and ears of a state in another state, not in the sense of espionage, but with the understanding that they get information that will be valuable for the home state. They have the privileges, recognition and legal personality accorded the head of state whom they represent.
