The Federal Government has unveiled plans to establish a structured partnership with retired ambassadors as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria's Foreign Service, preserve institutional memory and enhance the country's diplomatic capacity.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, disclosed this on Wednesday while receiving a delegation of retired ambassadors led by Roddy Igwebuike Nwokeabia during a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
Enikanolaiye said the Federal Government remains committed to repositioning Nigeria's diplomatic service by drawing on the experience, expertise and institutional knowledge of retired diplomats.
He announced that the ministry would establish a formal framework to involve retired ambassadors in institutional development through in-house training, capacity building, mentorship programmes and policy support.
According to the minister, the initiative is aimed at preserving the institutional memory of the Ministry while equipping younger Foreign Service officers with practical diplomatic knowledge, professional ethics and leadership skills gained from the experiences of senior diplomats.
"The repositioning of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a shared responsibility," Enikanolaiye said, stressing the need for sustained collaboration between serving and retired diplomats to promote professionalism, ensure institutional continuity and advance Nigeria's foreign policy objectives.
He also disclosed that retired ambassadors would be invited to participate in policy retreats, strategic consultations, seminars and other professional engagements where their expertise could contribute to strengthening the nation's diplomatic service.
Earlier, leader of the delegation, Ambassador Roddy Igwebuike Nwokeabia, congratulated Enikanolaiye on his appointment, describing it as timely and well deserved.
He said the minister's extensive diplomatic experience, professionalism and institutional knowledge placed him in a strong position to drive ongoing reforms within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Nwokeabia emphasised the importance of preserving the institutional memory of Nigeria's Foreign Service through continuous engagement with retired diplomats.
He reaffirmed the readiness of the retired ambassadors to support the ministry by mentoring younger officers, providing professional guidance and contributing to initiatives aimed at strengthening Nigeria's diplomacy and advancing the country's national interests.
The minister, in response, expressed appreciation for the support and goodwill shown by the retired diplomats since his appointment and commended them for their decades of dedicated service to Nigeria's diplomatic corps.
He described the retired ambassadors as distinguished colleagues and mentors whose contributions have played a significant role in the growth and development of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the years.