NIIA research fellow harps on digital diplomacy to save cost

NIIA research fellow harps on digital diplomacy to save cost

Diplomacy

By Busayo Onijala

Lagos, June 6, 2024 (NAN) Adopting digital diplomacy can help Nigeria  to reduce the number of its missions abroad and solve funding problems, says Prof. Joshua Bolarinwa.

Bolarinwa, a Senior Research Fellow and Head of Security and Strategic Studies Division, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.

Digital diplomacy is an evolving aspect of diplomacy that promotes the use of information technology tools to achieve  foreign policy objectives of a nation.

With digital diplomacy, there is an interplay of diplomacy, the internet and, more importantly, new information technologies to achieve national interest through  diplomatic engagements.

According to Bolarinwa, digital diplomacy presents many advantages, particularly for countries with many foreign missions.

NAN reports that Nigeria has over 100 diplomatic missions, including embassies, high commissions and consulates.

Bolarinwa said that conversations around digital diplomacy were emphasised between 1999 and 2007 during the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo-led administration and between 2015 and 2023 under the retired Gen. Muhammadu Buhari-led government.

He noted that the conversations were on reducing Nigeria’s missions abroad; considering redundancy and inadequate funding.

“I recall that some field works were done years ago, with the involvement of NIIA, where we came up with recommendations that some missions should be scrapped and others converted to smart missions.

“With smart missions, you don’t need more than one or two trained foreign service officers.

“All other things will be done through the use of information technology, and with the snap of a finger, information is passed.

“Promoting this will also equip and update foreign service officers and diplomats to be at par with their colleagues elsewhere,” Bolarinwa said.

He, however, cautioned that digital diplomacy was associated with some challenges because of the level of secrecy attached to some areas of foreign affairs.

According to him, restricted or classified information has to be communicated carefully, considering the prevalence of cyber hacking.

Bolarinwa said that this should, however,  not deter its use, adding that countries such as the U.S., United Kingdom, Russia and China had been using digital diplomacy to an extent without their secrets being divulged.

“It is information that is fed into the software on digital diplomacy that will be relayed.

“Leaks can be controlled and minimised,” Bolarinwa said. (NAN)

OMB/KTO/IGO 

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Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Ijeoma Popoola