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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has publicly acknowledged the ongoing financial and operational challenges facing several Nigerian diplomatic and consular missions abroad, citing budgetary constraints and foreign exchange policy shifts as key contributing factors.
In a statement issued on Monday, and signed by Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa, the ministry admitted that the financial strain has disrupted the smooth running of missions, including delays in paying locally recruited staff, service providers, rent, and allowances for home-based officers.
“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.
While noting that these missions are not exempt from the broader economic realities affecting Nigeria, the ministry emphasised that the budgetary shortfalls over the years have significantly hampered the effective functioning of missions and their ability to fulfil core diplomatic responsibilities.
“It is pertinent to state, however, that the Nigerian diplomatic missions are not immune to the economic situation at home and its attendant challenges to government operations.
“The financial situation in our missions stems from budgetary limitations over the years, resulting in shortfalls in allocations,” the ministry stated.
The ministry assured Nigerians, both at home and abroad, that the welfare of diplomatic staff and their families remains a priority for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The government is taking decisive and concrete steps to address the issues of fund allocation to all its Missions abroad,” the statement continued.
One such measure includes releasing special intervention funds to alleviate hardship in affected missions. According to the ministry, over 80 percent of the available funds have already been cleared for payment.
“Priority [was] given to service providers, salaries of locally recruited staff and arrears of claims due to officers,” based on evidence submitted by the missions.
To ensure transparency, a committee was established to verify the missions’ debt profiles and ensure that payments were justifiable and equitably disbursed.
The ministry also confirmed engagement with the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to recover shortfalls from the 2024 fiscal year, largely caused by exchange rate fluctuations linked to the government’s monetary policy reforms.
“To mitigate its impact, the government of President Bola Tinubu, has graciously approved the settlement of the shortfall,” the ministry said, confirming that the first tranche of funds had already been remitted, with “some missions acknowledging receipt.”
In addition, second-semester allocations have now been approved, and the ministry is coordinating with the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria to expedite the release of personnel and overhead funds beginning this week.
“Similarly, the Second Semester Allocations have also been approved. The ministry is engaging with the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria to facilitate the prompt release of Personnel and Overhead Cost Allocations to all missions, starting this week, to clear outstanding allowances and further alleviate the financial situation of the Missions. With these efforts, Missions have begun to stabilise,” the statement said.
Looking ahead, the ministry revealed that it is developing a sustainable financial framework for its foreign missions, incorporating innovative and efficient strategies aligned with broader federal reforms aimed at improving fiscal governance and resource allocation.
“In the same vein, the ministry is also working diligently to develop a sustainable financial model for funding our missions abroad, which includes exploring innovative solutions and efficiency measures to ensure long-term operational stability.
“These efforts are integral to the broader public sector financial reforms being implemented by the Federal Government, aimed at enhancing fiscal governance and ensuring the effective allocation of resources,” he said.
In its closing remarks, the ministry expressed gratitude to diplomatic staff, host governments, and service providers for their resilience and cooperation during the difficult period.
“We are confident that the current challenges are temporary and will be overcome through the concerted efforts of this administration.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to robust and dynamic international diplomacy, as well as the unwavering protection and welfare of every Nigerian citizen worldwide,” the statement concluded.
