The Federal Government has revealed that several Nigerian diplomatic and consular missions abroad are struggling with severe financial and operational challenges.
These difficulties include unpaid staff salaries, mounting debts owed to landlords and service providers, and delayed allowances for home-based officers.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
He also acknowledged that the difficulties have hindered the smooth running of embassies and consulates in different countries.
“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.
“It is pertinent to state, however, that the Nigerian diplomatic missions are not immune to the economic situation at home and its attendant challenges to government operations.
“The financial situation in our missions stems from budgetary limitations over the years, resulting in shortfalls in allocations.”
The ministry emphasised that Nigerian diplomatic missions are not immune to the economic situation at home and its attendant challenges to government operations.
Ebienfa noted that the government has taken steps to address the issue, including approval and release of special intervention funds to ease the hardship faced by some missions, establishment of a committee to assess and confirm the debt profile of affected missions.
He also disclosed that over 80 per cent of available funds have been cleared for payments, prioritising service providers, locally recruited staff salaries, and arrears owed to officers.
Ebienfa assured Nigerians at home and abroad that the welfare of diplomatic staff and their families remains a top priority for the President Bola Tinubu administration.
The ministry expressed appreciation to diplomatic staff, host governments, and service providers for their patience and cooperation, while expressing optimism that the difficulties will soon be overcome.
