By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
THE FEDERAL Government has acknowledged that several Nigerian diplomatic and consular missions abroad are struggling with financial and operational setbacks, including unpaid staff salaries, outstanding rent, and debts owed to service providers.
A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday and signed by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, confirmed that the difficulties stem from years of budgetary limitations and shortfalls in allocations that have restricted the smooth running of embassies and consulates.
“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 noted.
According to the ministry, Nigerian diplomatic missions are not insulated from the wider economic realities facing the country.
It stated that the current administration regards the welfare of diplomatic staff and their families in the diaspora as a priority and has moved to provide relief measures to ease the pressure on affected posts.
One of the steps taken, according to the release, was the approval and release of special intervention funds to mitigate hardship in some missions.
To ensure accountability and financial discipline, the ministry constituted a committee to assess and confirm the debt profiles of affected missions.
Based on responses and documentary evidence, over 80 per cent of available funds have been cleared for payments, with service providers, locally recruited staff salaries, and arrears owed to officers given priority.
The ministry further disclosed that it has engaged the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to secure refunds for allocation shortfalls experienced in 2024 due to foreign exchange differentials arising from new monetary policies and exchange rate harmonisation.
It explained that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the settlement of these shortfalls, with the first tranche already remitted to missions, some of which have confirmed receipt.
In addition, the release confirmed that second semester allocations have been approved, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs working with the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to fast-track the release of personnel and overhead costs starting this week.
These payments, the ministry stressed, will help clear outstanding allowances and further stabilise the operations of missions.
The statement added that the Federal Government is pursuing a sustainable financial model to fund missions abroad.
It explained that the plan includes exploring innovative solutions and efficiency measures designed to guarantee long-term operational stability.
This initiative forms part of the broader public sector financial reforms being undertaken by the administration to strengthen fiscal governance and resource allocation.
While acknowledging the resilience of diplomatic staff, the ministry commended them for carrying out their duties with commitment despite the prevailing financial strain.
It also expressed gratitude to host governments, service providers, and international partners for their understanding and cooperation during the period of difficulty.
“The Nigerian government remains unwavering in its commitment to providing the necessary support to all its missions abroad with a view to enabling them to function at their full capacity,” the statement affirmed.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasised that the ongoing financial challenges confronting Nigerian missions are temporary and will be resolved through the concerted measures being implemented.
It reaffirmed the country’s dedication to maintaining strong international diplomacy and ensuring the welfare of Nigerian citizens worldwide.
