Honourable Minister: Chief Ojo Maduekwe

A BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs then called the Ministry of External Affairs came to being in the year 1960 shortly after Nigeria attained Independence.  The first Minister was Dr. J.A. Wachukwu. The Ministry like any other Ministry was created to perform some functions and was charged with the statutory responsibilities of formulation, articulation and implementation of Nigeria‘s Foreign Policy and External Relations.

Functions

• Conduct of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy and International Relations.
• Representation of Nigeria in Foreign countries by way of High Commissions, Embassies and Consulates.
• Consular Matters including the protection of the interests of Nigerians abroad.
• Relations with Diplomatic Corps in Nigeria.
• Co-ordination of International Conferences in Nigeria.
• Representation of Nigeria at International Organizations such as the UN, ECOWAS, Commonwealth OAU then, now AU.
• Pilgrimage Arrangements.
• Technical Assistance to Foreign countries.
• Repatriation of destitute Nigerians.
• Issuance of Passports, Travel Certificates and Seamen identity cards in Missions abroad.
• Organization and Arrangement of State Protocol and ceremonies, accreditation of Nigerian Envoys, and Consular Representatives, Official visits abroad by Nigerian dignitaries.
• Responsibility over Diplomatic privileges and Immunities.
• Responsibility for signing of Cultural Agreements, and furnishing missions with daily news summary
  

MISSION STATEMENT

Dedicated to the vigorous pursuit of the vital national interests of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the promotion of African Integration and Unity, international cooperation for the consolidation of global peace, security, a just world economic order and democratic values, through the formulation, articulation and implementation of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy objectives for the benefit of Nigeria, and its citizens by building the capacity to be a major role player in world affairs, and earning the respect of the people of Africa, and the larger international community.

VISION

The vision of the Ministry is to build an efficient foreign ministry that is knowledge-based and technology driven in service delivery in the pursuit of Nigeria’s foreign policy goals and objectives.l

1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs performs its Diplomatic Consular
Functions through its accredited representatives abroad. These
Representatives gets their directives from the Headquarters then in
Lagos until August 1990 when the Ministry was re-located to Abuja.

Structure

At the Headquarters the Ministry Maintains:-

• The Office of the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs: -  
  
  This is a political office headed by a Minister who is the political head of the Ministry.  He is usually appointed by the President and reports directly to him.  His job is purely political and he represents the Ministry in the Federal Executive Council.
1. The Office of the Honourable Minister of State
          
   This is also a political office, headed by a Minister of State.  He is directly responsible for the following offices:
   • Staff Clinic
   • Technical Aid Corps Directorate
   • Directorate of Pilgrims Affairs.
     
     
   1. The Permanent Secretary’s Office :-
      
      The Permanent Secretary is directly responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Ministry.  He is the Accounting Officer of the Ministry.
   2. Then, Nine departments, Four units, One directorate of Technical
       Aid Corps.
   3. In Lagos, a Liaison office and a Foreign Services Academy.
   4. 101 Overseas Missions.
      The organogram of the Ministry (both Old and New) is attached
      herewith.
   5. The Ministry, ever since its re-location to Abuja in 1990 has undergone some reforms in its service delivery such as improved Communication system, Provision of access to the (INTERNET) for all members of Staff in order to meet-up with the global trend and really position itself to effectively articulate and implement Nigerian Foreign Policy.
   6. Consequent on a recent directive from the Presidency, the Ministry has been merged with the Ministry of Co-operation and Integration in Africa.  Attached here-with is the proposed Basic Re-Structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.