 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Nigeria
Nigeria High Commission
Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago
Mr. Oluseyi Onafowokan
Copyright © 2011 Nigeria High Commission. All rights reserved.
.jpg)
A Brief Profile of Mr. Oluseyi Onafowokan - Minister Economics & Political / Head of Chancery, Nigeria High Commission, Trinidad and Tobago
Mr Oluseyi A. Onafowokan graduated from University of Benin in 1979 with a degree in Political Science and obtained a Masters degree in International Relations from University of Ife in 1981. He joined the diplomatic service on 21 June 1982. His first posting in the Ministry was in the Political Department as the Cuban Desk Officer.
Mr. Onafowokan attended the Foreign Service Academy from 1983-84 and after passing the prescribed examinations, was posted to the Nigerian High Commission in London in 1984 where he acquired his early exposure to both multilateral and bilateral diplomacy. He served briefly as the Deputy Chief of Protocol, from where he was deployed to the Economic Desk. He was opportune to attend many bilateral negotiations on behalf of the government at the British Department of Trade and Industry, while undertaking political responsibilities while still serving in London.
Mr.Onafowokan was moved to the Trade Desk at the creation of that Desk. He was Nigeria's Alternate Delegate at the International Coffee Organization (ICO), International Tin Council/Tin Research Council, International Rubber Study Group. In addition, he was also on the panel that interviewed and employed the Secretary of the Rubber Study Group for that assignment. Earlier in his career, young Mr. Onafowokan served as the Personal Assistant to the Deputy Director General of the African Desk when the Liberian crisis was brewing. He was thus exposed to serious political decision making.
In the course of his career, Mr. Onafowokan served in Nigeria's Cuban Mission from 1992-1998 where he was Head of Chancery supervising a local staff of about 13 and was also responsible for Economic airs between the two countries. During that period he also covered Mexico where the Mission had concurrent accreditation and acquired a working knowledge of Spanish. After this stint, he was posted as a directing staff of the Nigerian Foreign Service from 2000- 2001, where he was involved in curriculum planning, students' supervision and assessment. Thereafter, he was posted as the Liaison Officer in the Lagos Office for two years, where he managed successfully staff strength of 300. He also doubled as the Special Assistant to the Permanent Secretary. This assignment took him to Sydney Australia, for the Summit of the Commonwealth Heads of Government and also to Washington, United States of America, on a special assignment.
In 2001, he was posted to the Russian Federation where he served as Minister responsible for Economic, Trade and Investment Promotions. On his return from Russia, he was once again posted to the Foreign Service Academy, this time, as the Acting Director and Head. Mr. Onafowokan utilized that second opportunity to transform the Foreign Service Academy into a modern institute of learning with the state-of-art facility to compliment learning while its floral and aesthetic beauty remains ever-long in the minds of those Foreign Service Officers who had the privilege of passing through that institute.
Seyi, as he is fondly called by friends and colleagues; has read extensively on international relations and is enthused with international political activities. He also enjoys political discussions and solution finding to knotty and delicate political situations. He is a team player who has acquired a rich experience in Conference Diplomacy and Bilateral matters. He is happily married with two children.
Mr. Onafowokan attended the Foreign Service Academy from 1983-84 and after passing the prescribed examinations, was posted to the Nigerian High Commission in London in 1984 where he acquired his early exposure to both multilateral and bilateral diplomacy. He served briefly as the Deputy Chief of Protocol, from where he was deployed to the Economic Desk. He was opportune to attend many bilateral negotiations on behalf of the government at the British Department of Trade and Industry, while undertaking political responsibilities while still serving in London.
Mr.Onafowokan was moved to the Trade Desk at the creation of that Desk. He was Nigeria's Alternate Delegate at the International Coffee Organization (ICO), International Tin Council/Tin Research Council, International Rubber Study Group. In addition, he was also on the panel that interviewed and employed the Secretary of the Rubber Study Group for that assignment. Earlier in his career, young Mr. Onafowokan served as the Personal Assistant to the Deputy Director General of the African Desk when the Liberian crisis was brewing. He was thus exposed to serious political decision making.
In the course of his career, Mr. Onafowokan served in Nigeria's Cuban Mission from 1992-1998 where he was Head of Chancery supervising a local staff of about 13 and was also responsible for Economic airs between the two countries. During that period he also covered Mexico where the Mission had concurrent accreditation and acquired a working knowledge of Spanish. After this stint, he was posted as a directing staff of the Nigerian Foreign Service from 2000- 2001, where he was involved in curriculum planning, students' supervision and assessment. Thereafter, he was posted as the Liaison Officer in the Lagos Office for two years, where he managed successfully staff strength of 300. He also doubled as the Special Assistant to the Permanent Secretary. This assignment took him to Sydney Australia, for the Summit of the Commonwealth Heads of Government and also to Washington, United States of America, on a special assignment.
In 2001, he was posted to the Russian Federation where he served as Minister responsible for Economic, Trade and Investment Promotions. On his return from Russia, he was once again posted to the Foreign Service Academy, this time, as the Acting Director and Head. Mr. Onafowokan utilized that second opportunity to transform the Foreign Service Academy into a modern institute of learning with the state-of-art facility to compliment learning while its floral and aesthetic beauty remains ever-long in the minds of those Foreign Service Officers who had the privilege of passing through that institute.
Seyi, as he is fondly called by friends and colleagues; has read extensively on international relations and is enthused with international political activities. He also enjoys political discussions and solution finding to knotty and delicate political situations. He is a team player who has acquired a rich experience in Conference Diplomacy and Bilateral matters. He is happily married with two children.