PRE-COLONIAL DIPLOMACY AND RELEVANCE OF THE PRINCIPLES OF “NATIVE SENSE” IN THE PRACTICE OF CONTEMPORARY DIPLOMACY AMONG NIGERIAN DIPLOMATS

Abstract

This paper was aimed at highlighting the importance of native sense in practice of modern diplomacy. This was done by first examining various diplomatic displays and alliances secured by Nigerian Precolonial Sovereigns, in pursuit of economic, military, territorial, political and socio-cultural interests. Native sense emanates from various customary dictates and oral traditions of distinctive communities. From the paper, precolonial Nigerian rulers or their associates displayed native ingenuities in both internal political relationship and external affairs. Since the inception of consistent democracy in Nigeria in 1999, diplomats of both career and non-career professional backgrounds have contributed immensely in advancement of Nigeria’s interest abroad, most of which involved application of native sense strategies against doctrinal diplomatic bureaucracy. In conclusion, the paper noted that most contemporary diplomats that conducted external affairs with absolute native sense principles often achieve better results, in spite of the backlash that such move may attract.