HISTORICAL REVIEW OF MODERN DIPLOMACY AND THE ISSUES OF CAREERISM IN THE EARLY STAGE OF NIGERIAN FOREIGN SERVICE

Abstract

HISTORICAL REVIEW OF MODERN DIPLOMACY AND THE ISSUES OF CAREERISM IN THE EARLY STAGE OF NIGERIAN FOREIGN SERVICEThis paper titled “historical review of modern diplomacy and traces of careerism in early Nigerian
Foreign Service” was an analysis of scholarly discourse on modern diplomacy. It was based upon
secondary analysis of data with the sole aim of underscoring transitions in diplomatic practice,
which has evolved into careerism among Foreign Service personnel. In the course of the review,
various conceptual definitions of diplomacy were outlined. However, the paper revealed that the introduction of permanent diplomatic post and specific department for diplomacy as well as training for diplomats, created the much-adored careerism in the service. Nonetheless, the paper further revealed that two major factors shaped the appointment of heads of Nigerian missions in the early times; which include the prerogative constitutional power of the head of government to appoint;
and the various reforms in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that installed administrative hierarchies within the service. The paper on this note concluded that the principles of careerism must not discard the relevance of professionalism from other disciplines, at the same time skills and abilities should not be disregarded due to political consideration in appointment of head of missions.