Onyeama: We’ll review size of embassies abroad

Geoffrey Onyeama, minister of foreign affairs, says the federal government is considering a review of embassy operations across the world.

Speaking as a special guest at a NAN Forum in Abuja, Onyeama stated that the review had become necessary as a result of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy.

According to him, resources for funding the embassies have not improved, and as a result, the government was considering the “smart” option instead of a complete shutdown, as the latter was more expensive.

“I wouldn’t say the resources have improved but yes we are in a process of trying to rationalise,” he said.

“What we have discovered is that the process is actually more expensive closing down an embassy than to actually keep it going. The cost is huge to close down, so, we had to revisit it.

“When you put into a balance our interest in having presence in countries around the world to promote our economy, security and other vital national interests and our budgetary realities and limitations, we are looking at just rationalising those embassies rather than outright closure – having a lot of smart missions.

“We feel that would be more cost effective than outright closure.”

He added that the government is also looking into how funding the technical aid corps (TAC) scheme would be sustained.

The technical aid corps programme is a foreign policy instrument that engages volunteers with the aim of promoting cooperation and understanding between Nigeria and beneficiary countries.

“Hopefully, we will be able to sustain it because it is a sacrifice on our part; but the host countries also contribute through accommodation,” he said.

“We will have a review and if we need to downsize it slightly because of budgetary reasons, we will.

“But the principle is a good one and it is something we have no intention of completely stopping.”