FG Acknowledges Strain on Foreign Missions, Moves to Ease Funding Shortfalls

The Federal Government has admitted that Nigeria’s diplomatic and consular missions abroad are facing financial and operational difficulties, citing budgetary shortfalls and recent foreign exchange policy changes as major causes.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the situation on Monday in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa. It acknowledged that several missions have struggled with delayed salary payments to locally recruited staff, unpaid allowances for home-based officers, and outstanding rent and service bills.

“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.

According to the ministry, the funding crisis reflects Nigeria’s wider economic realities, with years of inadequate allocations weakening the capacity of missions to deliver their core diplomatic functions.

Reassuring Nigerians both at home and abroad, the ministry stressed that the welfare of Foreign Service officers and their families remains a top priority for President Bola Tinubu’s administration. It disclosed that the government has released special intervention funds to ease the burden, with over 80 per cent already disbursed. Priority has been given to salaries of local staff, payments to service providers, and arrears owed to officers.

To ensure accountability, a verification committee has been set up to audit debt profiles of missions and confirm legitimate claims. The ministry also confirmed ongoing discussions with the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to recover shortfalls from the 2024 fiscal year, which it linked to exchange rate fluctuations triggered by monetary policy reforms.

“The government of President Bola Tinubu has graciously approved the settlement of the shortfall” the ministry noted, adding that the first tranche of payments has been remitted, with some missions already confirming receipt. A second tranche has also been approved, with the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria working to fast-track disbursement of personnel and overhead funds this week.

Looking ahead, the ministry said it is developing a sustainable financial framework for Nigeria’s foreign missions, aligned with the Federal Government’s broader fiscal reforms to improve governance and resource allocation.

Expressing gratitude to diplomatic staff, host governments, and service providers for their patience, the ministry expressed optimism that the setbacks would soon be overcome.

“We are confident that the current challenges are temporary and will be resolved through the concerted efforts of this administration. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to robust international diplomacy and to the protection and welfare of every Nigerian citizen worldwide” the statement concluded.