DICHOTOMIES IN POSTING BETWEEN CAREER AND NON-CAREER DIPLOMATIC HEADS OF NIGERIAN FOREIGN MISSION FROM 1999-2015

Abstract

This paper examined the dichotomies in the posting between career and non-career diplomatic heads of Nigerian foreign mission. This study became imperative due to various discrepancies often experience in the appointment of heads of Nigerian mission abroad, on the basis of career and non-career officers. Thus, the general procedures for appointment of heads of mission and the ratios of such appointments, between 1999 and 2015 were among the major discourse of the paper. Using a historical research approach, data from primary and secondary sources were analyzed. Oral interviews were the basis of the primary data, while the secondary data consisted of text books and other library materials. The paper revealed that each of the Nigerian president between 1999 and 2015 had personal discretional response to the appointment of head of foreign missions. However, under President Goodluck Jonathan (2009-2015) veritable efforts were made to alleviate the “stampeding” of career Foreign Service officers, in appointment of diplomatic headship.