The Federal Government has admitted that Nigeria’s diplomatic and consular missions abroad are grappling with financial and operational difficulties, citing budgetary shortfalls and foreign exchange policy changes as the root causes.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa. According to the ministry, the constraints have disrupted the smooth running of several missions, resulting in delayed payment of salaries for locally recruited staff, allowances for home-based officers, and unsettled rents owed to landlords and service providers.
“The ministry is not unaware of the restrictions that financial limitations have placed on the smooth running of the missions, including the inability to pay salaries of locally recruited staff, financial obligations to service providers, rent to landlords, and the foreign service allowance to home-based officers,” the statement read in part.
To tackle the crisis, the government announced that President Bola Tinubu has approved special intervention funds, while a committee has been set up to assess and confirm the debt profile of foreign missions. The ministry further revealed that over 80 percent of available funds have already been cleared, prioritising payments to service providers, staff, and outstanding allowances.
It added that engagements are ongoing with the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation to recover allocation shortfalls caused by foreign exchange differentials, as part of efforts to stabilise funding for missions abroad.
The government assured that it is working towards a sustainable financial model to ensure that Nigerian embassies and consulates continue to function effectively and represent the country’s interests globally.
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