Ajisomo Calls for Major Repositioning of NIIA, Proposes Abuja Office and New Strategic Reforms

Former Nigerian Ambassador to Vietnam, Babatunde Ajisomo, has called for a comprehensive repositioning of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), urging the institution to strengthen its influence on Nigeria’s foreign policy and adapt to the rapidly changing global political and economic landscape.

Ajisomo made the call while presenting a paper titled “Engaging the Complexities of Changing Global Dynamics: The Role of NIIA” at the Institute’s two-day Roundtable Retreat on its 2026–2036 Strategic Plan, held in Lagos from November 9 to 10.

He argued that although the NIIA was established in 1961 to serve as a centre for foreign policy research and ideas, changing international realities now require a more proactive, independent and technologically advanced institution.

According to him, the Institute must move beyond its traditional role as a research think tank and become an active contributor to Nigeria’s strategic decision-making and international engagements.

Ajisomo identified inadequate funding, limited institutional autonomy and insufficient capacity to address emerging global challenges as some of the constraints affecting the Institute’s influence.

He proposed a ten-year transformation framework that would position the NIIA as a leading African institution for foreign policy research, strategic analysis and international engagement.

Among his recommendations is the establishment of a Centre for Cyber-Diplomacy and Digital Geopolitics to examine the implications of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, autonomous weapons and emerging technologies for Nigeria’s national interests.

He also urged the Institute to strengthen research on regional economic integration, particularly the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and the proposed ECOWAS single currency.

On security, the former diplomat called for greater attention to climate-related threats across the Sahel, including desertification, migration, resource conflicts and the activities of extremist groups.

He suggested that the NIIA’s Gen. Leo Irabor National Early Warning Systems Centre should expand its work to include climate risk mapping and collaborative early-warning strategies with regional institutions such as ECOWAS and the African Union.

Ajisomo further advocated the digitisation of the Institute’s library into an open-access electronic repository, alongside the adoption of artificial intelligence tools for geopolitical forecasting and research.

He also proposed a more diversified funding structure, including public-private partnerships, donor support, corporate memberships, research services and endowment arrangements to reduce dependence on a single source of funding.

The diplomat maintained that financial independence would help protect the Institute’s intellectual autonomy and strengthen its ability to undertake long-term research without excessive dependence on changing political administrations.

In another significant recommendation, Ajisomo called for the expansion of the NIIA’s operations beyond Lagos, arguing that a stronger institutional presence in Abuja would give its researchers more direct access to government officials, foreign policy decision-makers, ambassadors and the wider diplomatic community.

He also recommended quarterly closed-door policy briefings involving the Office of the National Security Adviser, the National Intelligence Agency and relevant government ministries to improve the translation of research findings into policy decisions.

On international cooperation, he urged the Institute to deepen partnerships with established research organisations, including Chatham House in the United Kingdom, the Council on Foreign Relations in the United States and other African policy and security institutions.

The former ambassador also highlighted the importance of Nigeria’s diaspora, sports and cultural assets as instruments of soft-power diplomacy, urging the Institute to develop research programmes that would help harness these resources for the country’s international influence.

To ensure accountability, Ajisomo proposed implementing the strategic plan in three phases: laying the institutional foundation between 2026 and 2028, consolidating reforms from 2029 to 2032, and positioning the NIIA as a recognised Africa-wide leader in foreign policy research by 2036.

He said progress should be measured through indicators such as government adoption of policy recommendations, funding diversification, international partnerships and the quality of research and strategic forecasting produced by the Institute.

The NIIA, established in 1961, serves as Nigeria’s specialised institution for research, dialogue and policy advice on international affairs. Its mandate includes providing informed perspectives to support national decision-making and promote international understanding.

Ajisomo, whose diplomatic career includes service as Nigeria’s ambassador to Vietnam and ECOWAS Special Representative to Liberia, said the success of the proposed reforms would depend on sustained commitment, measurable targets and effective implementation.

He urged participants at the retreat to translate their deliberations into clear institutional priorities, timelines and accountability mechanisms, stressing that the value of the ten-year strategic plan would ultimately depend on its execution.