FG Admits Nigerian Embassies Abroad Struggling with Debts, Unpaid Salaries 

The Federal Government has acknowledged that several Nigerian embassies and consulates abroad are battling severe financial and operational difficulties, including unpaid salaries, outstanding rents, and debts to service providers.

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, confirmed the situation in a statement on Monday, noting that the challenges have disrupted the smooth running of missions in different parts of the world.

“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.

He explained that the financial strain stems largely from “budgetary limitations over the years, resulting in shortfalls in allocations.”

While stressing that Nigerian embassies abroad are not insulated from the economic realities at home, Ebienfa assured that the welfare of diplomats and their families remains a priority for President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

To cushion the impact, he disclosed that government has approved and released special intervention funds to some missions. A committee has also been set up to review the debt profiles, with more than 80 per cent of available funds already channelled to clear arrears owed to service providers, locally recruited staff, and officers.

“The financial situation in our missions stems from budgetary limitations over the years, resulting in shortfalls in allocations,” he added.

The Ministry further noted that despite these efforts, years of underfunding continue to undermine the effectiveness of Nigeria’s missions abroad and their ability to deliver on core diplomatic responsibilities.