8 Functions of the Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry

The Nigerian foreign ministry is a federal ministry established with the sole responsibility of reinforcing decision made which has to do with foreign affairs and the implementation of the decision here in Nigeria.

As a statutory body, the Nigerian foreign affairs ministry is also saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that the external promotion of Nigeria’s domestic vision and ideals are assured.

The Ministry is headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, a member of the federal executive council. The ministry is saddling with too many functions, which I am going to discuss a number of them in this article.

Functions Of The Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry

Like I said earlier, we are going to look at some of the functions of the Nigerian foreign affairs ministry, and these are there;

1. Implementation of State’s Diplomatic Principles and Policies

The functions of the Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry are numerous, including, the implementation of the diplomatic principles of the state, together with the policies, laws and regulations; Besides the work of implementation of these principles and policies, the Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry also safeguards the national sovereignty, it safeguards the security and the interests of the state.

On behalf of the state; the Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry also run diplomatic affairs that has to do with the state. Please take note, when I mention the state, I am referring to the government of the federal republic of Nigeria.

Having said that, handling of the diplomatic activities involving foreign leaders and the state, and the CPC’s leaders are the function of the Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry.

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2. Analyses Issues of Diplomatic Work

The Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry functions include the analysis of issues, when I talk about issues, I am talking about major issues that have to do with diplomatic work.

This diplomatic work revolved around the areas of politics, and economy, and culture, as well as security. The Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry is also saddled with the responsibility of understudying the overarching, as well as, the strategic issues that concerns international situation and that of international relations; the Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry advises the CPC’s Central Committee, the Ministry also advises the State Council on issues that have to do with the adoption of the diplomatic strategies and principles, as well as, policies.

3. Coordinates With Relevant Departments Of Government

The Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry do have this responsibility of coordinating with some relevant departments of government in  accordance with the entire diplomatic planning, and diplomatic reports, even as the Ministry also gives suggestions to both the Central Committee of CPC, and that of the State Council on some major issues involving foreign trade.

The Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry suggestions do not stop there, they go as far to that of the economic cooperation and assistance. Others inclue, culture,and military aid, and arms trade, and Chinese nationals abroad, and education, and science as well as, technology, and that of the public diplomacy.

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3. Grafting Of Laws and Regulations

The Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry is also saddled with the responsibility of drafting policy plans, drafting of laws and regulations for its diplomatic work, since its functions are more of the foreign affairs, and its diplomatic activities are blinded by these laws and regulations.

4. Handles Other Diplomatic Affairs In United Nations

In the united nations, the Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry handles responsibility, such as political responsibility, and economic responsibility, and social responsibility, including that of human rights as well.

Most of this responsibility is globally, and sometimes at regional level. Global and regional security is inclusive. Besides the United Nations, the Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry also undertakes the responsibility such as its diplomatic Affairs at different multilateral level.

5. Deals With Matters At The International Arms Control

Much of the responsibility of the Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry is at the international level, that is why, much of the matters at the international arms control for instance, is dealt with by the Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry.

The Ministry’s actual function here is to control, disarmed and discouraged proliferation. Other of its functions include, research on issues that have to do with international security. The Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry also organizes or go into negotiations on treaties, as well as, agreements that have to to with arms control at that level.

6. Handles Bilateral And Multilateral Treaties

Handling of bilateral and multilateral treaties remains one of the functions of this Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry. Another of its function is the handling of the international judicial cooperation, and apart from this aspect of responsibility, the Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry also oversee and participate on matters that have to do with major foreign issues such as, foreign-related legal cases, and such cases may involve the government. The Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry also assist

in the examination of draft that is foreign-related in terms of laws and regulations. The Ministry of foreign affairs also coordinate, as well as, organizes the work in fulfillment of the international conventions and agreements

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7. Participates In The Formulation Of Policies Related To Maritime And Land And Boundaries

The Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry do participated in the formulation of policies that has to do with maritime and land and boundaries. The Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry also take the responsibility of  guiding and coordinating  maritime work that is foreign related; as well as, organizes any work involving boundary issues, such as boundary delimitation, and boundary demarcation including joint inspections.

More so,the Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry also handled  some relevant cases that are foreign related; it involved in conducting diplomatic negotiations on joint development and maritime delimitation.

8. Oversee Consular Work

One of the functions of the Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry is to oversee consular work. The Foreign Affairs Ministry do also regulates most activities carried out by foreign diplomats, as well as the activities of consular in China and his mission in China. Another work that Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry do is the work of overseeing those areas of work that are related to consular affairs of Chinese citizens or nationals in the abroad.

Regarding cases that are foreign related in China, the Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry will handled or conduct or participate in handling representations that are in line with these foreign-related cases in China.

It will see to it that the consular is protected and get assistance when necessary. Apart from overseeing consular protection and assistance, the Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry also coordinates some departments in government that are relevant, it coordinates authorities at the local levels, as well as help in guiding Chinese diplomatic missions abroad by way of ensuring that every case that involves consular protection and assistance are well handled and taking care of, including making sure that information and  warning relating to the consular protection and assistance is released and in time.

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Conclusion

The Nigerian foreign ministry is a federal ministry established with the sole responsibility of reinforcing decision made which has to do with foreign affairs and the implementation of the decision here in Nigeria.

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