There are those who argue that in the internet age, countries do not really need physical ambassadors. This they call E-Diplomacy.
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The visit was later pulled-off and there were cooperation agreements in the fields of education, employment regulation, establishment of a joint business council, and in the field of youths and sports. There are those who may argue that in the internet age, countries do not really need physical ambassadors to sit in their embassies. This they call E-Diplomacy, Cyber Diplomacy or Twitter Diplomacy – Diplomacy in 40 Characters.
Despite such power and, claims of some Presidents, to be their own foreign ministers and diplomats, the presence of ambassadors on ground is essential, as it is a reflection of how you value a country. So, no matter how the power of E-Diplomacy is stretched, a country without ambassadors is like a void on the diplomatic stage.
For instance, in April 1984, the United States rejected the nomination of Nicaraguan lawyer and Deputy Foreign Minister, Nora Astorga, as ambassador. She had played a prominent role in the revolution which toppled pro-American President Anastasio Somoza. However, Nicaragua ensured Ms Astorga was a prominent face in the US by appointing her Nicaraguan Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York.
So, as it is, Nigeria may not have ambassadors in any part of the world in the next six months. This would mean that under the Tinubu administration, we may not have ambassadors for at least one quarter of its four-year tenure.