By Gloria Ikibah
The Federal Government has assured citizens that steps are already under way to resolve the financial challenges and operational difficulties faced by Nigerian embassies and consulates overseas.
A statement issued on Monday by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, confirmed that several diplomatic missions had been unable to meet obligations such as staff salaries, payments to service providers, rents, and allowances for home-based officers. 
He also explained that the difficulties are a reflection of wider budgetary constraints at home.
“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 Nigerian Diplomatic Missions are not immune to the economic situation at home and its attendant challenges to government operations”, the statement read.
The Ministry further attributed the strain to budgetary limitations over the years, resulting in shortfalls in allocations.
The Spokesperson stressed, however, that staff welfare remains a priority for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, as he disclosed that special intervention funds had been released to ease the strain on missions.
“To ensure that the monies remitted to the Missions are utilised judiciously and managed prudently in line with this Administration’s financial discipline policy, the Ministry set up a committee to assess and confirm the debt profile of the affected Missions.
“Based on responses from Missions and documentary evidence provided, more than 80 per cent of the available funds have been cleared for payments, with priority given to service providers, salaries of locally recruited staff and arrears of claims due to officers,” the statement noted.
The government has also begun refunding missions for shortfalls in their 2024 allocations, caused by exchange rate adjustments linked to the country’s new monetary policy.
“Consequently, the first tranche has already been remitted to all Missions, with some having confirmed receipt,” Ebienfa confirmed.
Further relief is expected as the “Second Semester Allocations have also been approved,” with the Ministry working with the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria to expedite payments.
Looking ahead, the Ministry said work is ongoing to design a more sustainable financial model for missions, in line with broader public sector reforms.
Acknowledging the strain on staff, the Ministry praised their perseverance, and expressed confidence that the difficulties are temporary.
“The Ministry recognises the resilience and dedication of its diplomatic staff who continue to discharge their duties with commendable patriotism under these difficult circumstances. We also thank the host governments, service providers and our international partners for their understanding and continued cooperation.”
“We are confident that the current challenges are temporary and will be overcome through the concerted efforts of this administration,” the statement added.
