Navigating the Diplomatic Labyrinth: Women's Involvement in Nigeria's Foreign Service Under Obasanjo and Buhari

Women’s Participation in diplomatic duties has received global attention in recent years. Despite commendable governmental initiative like the National Gender Policy, which set a 35% target for women’s participation, gender inclusivity in Nigeria’s foreign service remains elusive. Thus, this study set out to investigate Women’s involvement in Nigerian Foreign Service during Obasanjo and Buhari Administrations. The study adopted a historical research methodology. Primary sources included interviews with five (5) professionals who were purposively selected due to their experience in the Nigerian Foreign Service. Furthermore, secondary sources utilized journals, government records, gender policy documents. The study adopted the liberal feminism and role congruity theories in analyzing concepts, patterns and trends observed in the study. The study revealed that while the Obasanjo administration laid the groundwork for increased female representation through institutional reforms and symbolic appointments, the Buhari administration recorded a modest numerical improvement in women’s participation. The study also found that despite obvious strides towards women involvement in the foreign service, both administrations fell short of achieving substantive gender parity, as structural barriers such as patriarchal norms, political patronage, and limited career advancement opportunities continued to hinder women’s full integration into the foreign service. The study concluded that sustainable progress requires deliberate policy frameworks, gender-sensitive recruitment and promotion practices, and stronger political commitment. The study therefore recommended that women’s leadership in Nigeria’s foreign policy landscape should be encouraged through representation in diplomatic offices by government-reserved quotas.