Envoy calls for diplomatic training, welfare overhaul

Ambassador Bolaji Akinremi. Credit;Black history

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Nigeria must urgently reform its diplomatic training and welfare structure if it hopes to strengthen its global influence, retired Foreign Affairs Director and author, Ambassador Bolaji Akinremi, said in Abuja on Thursday.

Speaking at his 60th birthday celebration and retirement ceremony, which also served as the launch of his book The Seven-Star Diplomat, Akinremi warned that Nigeria continues to undervalue the strategic role diplomacy plays in national security.

He explained that his book is not only a recount of his experiences but also a guide to motivate a new generation of foreign service officers and advocate for a diplomatic corps that reflects Nigeria’s aspirations on the global stage.

“Modern diplomacy is no longer about wining and dining.

It is about strategic thinking, national planning, and speaking for the voiceless,” he said, calling for stronger investment in developing diplomatic capacity from the earliest stages of service.

Akinremi noted that diplomats operate under intense pressure and suspicion in volatile environments. “A diplomat represents Nigeria in sensitive environments and is often viewed with suspicion. Even though we are not intelligence officers, we carry the nation’s image, which exposes us to serious risks,” he explained.

He also highlighted challenges related to inadequate entitlements and misleading public perceptions about diplomats’ lifestyles. “Diplomats sometimes move from grace to grass. We receive allowances for domestic staff abroad that we are equally entitled to at home but never get. We work under difficult and uncertain conditions,” he said.

Reflecting on his career, Akinremi shared that he served over 33 years in the Foreign Ministry and nearly 35 years in the civil service since joining in January 1991. He cited his perseverance through wrongful dismissal, seven years out of service, and eventual reinstatement as a lesson for younger officers. “These experiences taught me the power of self-motivation. Obstacles should never be seen as stumbling blocks but as stepping stones,” he said.

The retired ambassador advised newly appointed envoys not to compete for high-profile postings, arguing that effective diplomacy depends on dedication rather than location.

Chairman of the event, Chief Kola Kareem, praised Akinremi for embodying national values abroad. “He is someone young diplomats should emulate. He joined the service, served diligently and has completed his assignment honourably,” Kareem said.

Retired ambassador to the Scandinavian countries, Dr Godknows Igali, described Akinremi as “one of a kind,” noting that his diverse roles—from ministry spokesman to head of protocol—demonstrated “tact, professionalism and national pride.” He added that the presence of retired ambassadors from multiple countries underscored Akinremi’s standing within the global diplomatic community.

The PUNCH journalist, Gift, has over three years of experience covering elections, security and foreign affairs.

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