Challenges in the Era of Globalization - iaabd

Proceedings of the 12th Annual Conference © 2011 IAABD
increasing young people interested in joining the Foreign Service from all states of the federation;
the nation should recruit only the best irrespective of their state of origin.
Challenge of Budgetary Allocation to Government Departments
The most crucial factor is adequate funding. The budgetary allocations to the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs have been on the decline. For example, in 1982, the total budgetary allocation including
contributions to international organizations, agencies and bilateral external aid was N133, 018,450
or 2.89 percent of the national budget. By 1985, the figure had declined to N92, 079,190, or 1.52%.
There are however, several countries in Africa with lesser external responsibilities, fewer external
missions and much smaller consular problems, with higher allocations in their national budget. The
MFA and the NIIA are poorly funded, Research Fellows of NIIA often complain not taken on
foreign trips while Staffs there also scramble to travel out. The steps had been to use the Chief
Executive of the Institute. Under-funding of research activities can be counter-productive. At the
NIIA for example, acquisition of new books and the faithful execution of NIIA mandate is difficult.
Participation by Research Fellows in seminars conferences, colloquia, workshops, etc, outside of
the Institute is hindered (Banjo, 1986). The institute is forced to depend on foreign research
foundations for financial support and the security implications are also there, especially when such
foundations specifically fund research programmes under the cover of democracy and human
rights, il1 election monitoring, rule of law, etc.
Challenge of Institutional Rivalry
The relationship between the NIIA and the MFA is not cordial. Research Fellows of NIIA often
complain that specialists and experts at the NIIA are not consulted. The cooperation cannot be said
to be good enough for national policy development purposes (Akinterinwa 2001, Banjo 1986).
Institutional rivalry abounds mainly because of unclear distinction of official duties and it can
certainly be counter-productive, and will certainly undermine the capacity of the nation to reap
maximum benefit from the orientation in the conduct and management of the country’s external
relations. An important strategy for laying the foundation for a successful conduct of diplomacy in
Nigeria and elsewhere is co-operation and collaboration among the various agencies of government
that have duties and responsibilities bearing on the country’s external transactions. There has to be
a new way and a new basis for a better relationship and understanding between both institutions.
The government must clearly define what ministry should supervise what agency. The question of
who should supervise the institute, MFA or the Presidency or vice presidency is yet to be answered.
Challenge of Corruption
Politics has become a big business in Nigeria. Political and public office has become very attractive
and lucrative as it constitutes easy ways for private property and capital accumulation. Political and
public office holders without let and with impunity loot state treasuries for personal and group
benefits. The conviction of some former state governors, members of National Assembly, and other
public and political office holders by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC and
the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission ICPC, testifies to this fact. Nigeria can never be
taken serious in international relations in so far as corruption remains the bane of Nigerian political
leadership. Anza Philips (Newswatch April 12, 2010), explains how former ministers, Aliero,
Ruma, Aondoakaa, Lawal, Lukman and Omotoba etc; got involved in questionable deals
amounting to N1 .7 trillion exposing former Agriculture Minister Ruma, non-disbursement of N200
billion agricultural loans approved by the federal government in 2009 to beneficiaries. In The News
26 April, 2010 Oluokun Ayorinde reports how a Zenith Bank Manager absconds with N10 Billion.
In the same way, allocations to institutions, salaries, constituency project fund and allowances of
public servants are tampered with.
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