Opinion
By Umar Ardo
THE ongoing tensions between Nigeria and Niger, marked by accusations, sanctions, threats of military invasion and diplomatic stand-offs, have been simmering since July last year. Yet there has been conspicuous silence of Nigeria’s foreign ministry all the while. This raises critical questions about the relevance of diplomacy in Nigeria’s current governmental affairs. Traditionally, the foreign ministry is the vanguard of diplomacy, and its minister charged with managing international relations, resolving conflicts and fostering cooperation. But even when Niger’s president made those scathing accusations against Nigeria, it wasn’t the Foreign Minister that responded on behalf of Nigeria; it was the Information Minister that did! This foreign ministry’s absence in these crucial exchanges highlights a troubling shift in Nigeria’s approach to foreign policy under the Tinubu administration.
2. This lack of visible engagement by the Foreign Minister in the Nigeria-Niger conflict suggests a diminishing role of institutional diplomacy in favour of a harp hazard executive-driven foreign policy. Decisions such as ECOWAS sanctions, threats of military intervention and bilateral negotiations have seemingly been handled exclusively by other departments of government, sidelining the relevant diplomatic corps. This undermines the institutional framework designed to manage international relations and diplomacy, thus raising serious concerns about the marginalization of expert input in crafting effective foreign policies for the regime.
3. The foreign ministry is uniquely positioned to facilitate dialogue and mediate disputes through quiet diplomacy. Its total absence in the public discourse between Nigeria and Niger has left a diplomatic vacuum, allowing tensions to escalate unchecked. A proactive foreign ministry could have explored avenues for negotiations, clarified misunderstandings, cleared misconceptions, rectified miscommunications and prevented the current standoff from deteriorating any further.
4. The sidelining of the Foreign Minister in such critical international issues raises broader questions about the relevance of Nigeria’s foreign ministry in contemporary governance. If foreign policy is driven solely by the executive without leveraging the expertise and institutional memory of the foreign ministry, the country risks making short-sighted decisions that could harm long-term diplomatic relations and regional stability.
5. The silence of our Foreign Minister amidst the Nigeria-Niger crisis underscores a troubling trend where institutional roles are diminished in favour of executive dominance. Restoring the relevance of the foreign ministry is essential to ensuring a balanced, strategic and effective approach to international relations. Diplomacy thrives on dialogue, expertise and institutional integrity – qualities that the foreign ministry is uniquely equipped to provide. Its absence in this critical moment is not just a reflection of the current conflict but a warning about the future of Nigeria’s foreign policy architecture.
30th December, 2024.
C.E.
Tags: Umar Ardo
