The Federal Government has acknowledged that several Nigerian diplomatic and consular missions abroad are grappling with financial and operational challenges, including unpaid staff salaries and mounting debts to landlords and service providers.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement signed by spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said these difficulties have affected the smooth functioning of embassies and consulates worldwide.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria wishes to acknowledge the financial and operational constraints recently being experienced by several of our Diplomatic and Consular Missions abroad. 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.

The Ministry linked the strain to Nigeria’s domestic economic realities, noting that missions are not immune from challenges facing government institutions at home. It assured that staff welfare remains a priority for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, with intervention measures already underway.

“The financial situation in our Missions stems from budgetary limitations over the years, resulting in shortfalls in allocations, which in turn have significantly impacted the optimal functioning of many of our Missions abroad, and the ability to deliver on their core diplomatic and consular mandates effectively,” the statement added.

To address the issues, a special committee has been set up to verify the debt profile of missions, ensuring accountability in the use of funds. “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, respectively,” the Ministry explained.

The statement also confirmed ongoing collaboration with the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to refund shortfalls caused by foreign exchange differentials in the 2024 budget cycle. “The first tranche of refunds has been remitted to missions, while second semester allocations have also been approved,” it said.

“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 added.

For the long term, the Ministry said it is working on a sustainable financial model to ensure operational stability, including exploring innovative solutions and efficiency measures. “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,” it said.

The Ministry also commended the resilience of its diplomatic staff. “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,” the statement read.

Reaffirming government’s commitment, the Ministry concluded: “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.”

When pressed by Vanguard to disclose the specific amount allocated to the missions, Ebienfa declined, describing it as “a diplomatic secret.”