The Nigerian Government has admitted that several Nigerian diplomatic and consular missions abroad are struggling with financial and operational difficulties, including unpaid staff salaries and mounting debts to landlords and service providers.
In a statement on Monday, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa acknowledged that the challenges have hindered the smooth running of embassies and consulates.
He explained that budget shortfalls in recent years had limited allocations, making it difficult for missions to meet obligations such as salaries for locally recruited staff, service payments, rent, and allowances for home-based officers.
“The missions are not immune to the economic situation at home and its impact on government operations,” Ebienfa said.
He assured Nigerians at home and abroad that the welfare of diplomatic staff and their families remains a priority for the Tinubu administration. He noted that special intervention funds had been released to ease the hardship, with over 80 per cent of available funds cleared for payments—prioritising service providers, staff salaries, and arrears.
A committee has been set up to assess the debt profiles of affected missions, while the government has also approved refunds for shortfalls caused by foreign exchange differentials. According to the ministry, the first tranche has already been remitted, and second semester allocations are expected this week.
The government is also working on a long-term sustainable financial model to ensure stability and efficiency in funding Nigerian missions abroad.
Ebienfa praised the resilience of diplomatic staff and thanked host governments and partners for their understanding, stressing that the financial challenges are temporary.