There has been intense lobbying among the career ambassadorial nominees recently confirmed by the Senate as well as the 46 non-career nominees awaiting confirmation, for posting to countries in Africa, LEADERSHIP findings have revealed.

While the career ambassadors are taking advantage of their knowledge of the system to influence their postings, those on the non-career ambassadorial list are not left out as it was gathered that their political godfathers who nominated them for the appointments, are taking it further by ensuring that they get the postings of their choice.

Unlike in the past when countries such as France, United States of America, China, Germany, and Britain, among others, attracted huge interest as they were considered ‘juicy,’ findings revealed that the interest in those countries has declined, with ambassadors now opting for African countries.

Information available to LEADERSHIP indicated that some Nigerian diplomats now opt for and even lobby for postings to African countries in order to save on their salaries and allowances, as the cost of living in the African countries is less, compared to other parts of the world, particularly as they would have to reside in the capital cities where the cost of living is even higher.

Another consideration, it was gathered, is closeness to home, especially for the non-career ambassadors, most of whom are politicians, to enable them maintain touch with their political bases. Growing racist tendencies in some of the countries was also said to be among the considerations.

Those familiar with the matter told LEADERSHIP that since their nominations, the nominees had been talking to those involved with the posting to influence their deployments.

One of the non-career ambassadorial nominees who spoke to LEADERSHIP on the condition of anonymity, confirmed the development, saying, “It is all about the savings. They won’t need to spend much and they will be more comfortable in an African country, and closer home.”

A lecturer of International Relations, said the recent clamour for posting to Africa was expected in view of the economic advantages, bearing in mind the economic recession. He also said it would make it easy for ambassadors who plan to be truant to be at home whenever they want.

“It is seen as profitable for non-career diplomats to be posted to Africa. If they are posted to an African country, it is all the more better because this, apart from the huge savings they will make, places them nearer home. Some would abandon their duty posts, delegating it to the deputy ambassador or the Charge D’Affaire, while they go about their lucrative businesses at home. This is what happens,” the lecturer who craved anonymity stated.

It was, however, learnt that there were still those who preferred to be posted outside Africa, and would give anything to make that possible.

“A friend of mine was nominated as a non-career ambassador but dropped out when he realised they had posted him to an African country. His reason was that if posted to an African country, he would be as good as a civil servant, with nothing much to do. But if posted to a place like China, he would be able to do a lot in terms of building relations and on the other hand, conduct private business, attracting good things to himself,” a source hinted.

Commenting on the issue, a media professional traced it to how ambassadors are generally picked in the country, saying political affiliation is a major consideration and when that becomes a yardstick, nothing else matters.

“For anybody to be considered for an ambassadorial role in Nigeria, political affiliations matter. Regional base may also come into play. Look at it this way, every state, in terms of regions, has the north, south, and central for balancing in terms of political roles. If for example, the governor of a state is from the central part of the state and the cabinet minister representing the state is from the north, it will only be ideal to consider someone from the south for ambassadorial posting.

“Religious affiliations also matter. For example, Adamawa has an equal number of Muslims and Christians. If the governor is Muslim, the ambassador is most likely to be a Christian. States like Gombe, Kaduna, Adamawa might consider this.

“Again, fluency in global languages such as; French, German and Italian is another factor. If you are fluent in French, you are likely to be posted to Paris or any French speaking country. This is the function of national politicking. However, the president has the final say,” he explained.

A lecturer in the Mass Communication department of Bingham University, Nasarawa State, Moses Akurega, in an interview with LEADERSHIP, said: “It is normal in Nigeria, they choose where they want to go. Some of these ‘so called,’ diplomats, it’s not the job they are interested in but the entitlements of the office. This is why they scramble for what they call ‘juicy postings.’ It’s not because of the interest of the country. Do you know what a diplomat is supposed to do? He is the eyes and ears of the country in another country.

“So if you are patriotic enough, you will not mind where you are posted to. All you will need is to go there and create the relationship your country needs, to bring benefits to your country and the host country. But in our own case we are looking for whatever we can get for ourselves and not for the country. That is why they scramble for what they call ‘juicy’ postings. If they are posted to African countries, how will they make the money? Except from salary and allowances and savings.”

In a related development, the National Assembly has resolved to provide sufficient funding for Nigeria’s embassies and high commissions across the world to enable them effectively protect the country’s interests in the countries they are domiciled.

This was one of the decisions reached at a joint meeting of the Senate and House of Representatives Appropriation Committees with the representatives of the executive arm of government on Monday, during the consideration of the N180 billion virement request by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The legislators agreed to increase the N14.6 billion provided for the Missions in the 2016 virement request.

A reliable source privy to the discussions at a meeting of the leadership of the National Assembly said lawmakers believe that the embassies should be well funded so that they can hold their own against other foreign missions in their countries of assignment as well as properly represent the nation’s interests.

“During our discussion, we agreed that our embassies are public relations centres for the nation. They shape international perception of our country.

“Now that we are trying to attract investors and build investors’ confidence in our economy, our embassies must be put in a pole position to coordinate the efforts at the foreign level to revive our economy. They must be well-funded and well-managed to confidently provide prompt, efficient and good services for intending visitors to our country.

“We also expect our embassies to be more pro-active in serving our fellow country people resident in their various countries of domicile, co-ordinate how we market Nigeria to the international community and attract the right attention to our country. If they are not put in a position to relate with other countries with confidence, then we will be penny wise, pound foolish.

“The National Assembly is set to ensure our foreign missions are properly managed and well-focused to be key centres in reviving the economy, enhancing Nigeria’s image abroad and helping the country to claim her rightful place in the international community.”

According to the source who asked not to be mentioned in print, the lawmakers will relate with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Investment to ensure the embassies have new mandates and fulfil them.

“The funds approved for them must also be released on time. The committees on foreign affairs and finance must ensure this,” the source said.