Workers in 109 Nigerian Embassies Struggle with Six-Month Unpaid Salaries

At least 450 foreign service officers stationed at 109 Nigerian missions worldwide have gone without salaries for five to six months, leaving them in financial distress. These officials, under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are struggling to meet basic obligations such as rent and children’s school fees.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged the issue, with acting spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa stating that the leadership is actively working on a resolution. He expressed optimism that the recent passage of the 2025 Appropriation Act would soon lead to financial relief once signed into law by the President.

Despite an increase in budgetary allocation to the ministry and embassies, financial challenges persist. Records show that the ministry spent N251.71bn on salaries over the past four years. In 2021, N73.14bn was allocated to the ministry, with N34.38bn for personnel costs. The following years saw increased allocations, culminating in the 2025 proposal of N353.77bn, with N214.64bn earmarked for salaries.

Additionally, the Federal Government has set aside N53bn to renovate 103 foreign missions, covering chanceries, staff quarters, ambassadorial residences, and essential office expenses. However, despite these budgetary provisions, many embassies struggle to finance their operations and pay staff.

Delays in appointing new ambassadors have worsened the situation. Following a reassessment of Nigeria’s foreign policy, President Bola Tinubu recalled 83 ambassadors in September 2023. However, financial shortfalls have hindered the deployment of new envoys. Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar admitted that a lack of funding is preventing the effective operation of embassies, stating that the President is working towards a resolution.

Sources within the ministry attribute the financial crisis to poor funding and delays in budget approval. Some embassy officials report going unpaid since August or September 2024, leading to legal action from service providers owed payments. The situation has left embassies struggling to cover operational costs, with staff unable to effectively assist Nigerians abroad.

Former diplomat Rasheed Akinkuolie traced the issue to underfunding that began in 1983 during military rule, arguing that foreign missions have been neglected ever since. He suggested a dual-currency budgeting approach—allocating funds in both US dollars and naira—to stabilize embassy funding and retain skilled diplomats.

A retired ambassador confirmed that financial issues have persisted for years and linked the delay in ambassadorial appointments to the crisis. He noted inefficiencies in managing foreign exchange allocations, further complicating the situation. Expressing relief at his retirement, he lamented the systemic financial mismanagement affecting embassies.

Foreign affairs analyst Charles Onunaiju highlighted a leadership vacuum in Nigerian embassies, emphasizing that the absence of substantive heads of missions has worsened financial difficulties. He criticized the practice of appointing political allies to diplomatic positions instead of career professionals, arguing that this weakens Nigeria’s diplomatic representation and efficiency abroad.

Onunaiju called for a merit-based diplomatic appointment system to ensure effective leadership and financial stability for Nigeria’s embassies. He warned that without reforms, embassies would continue to face operational challenges, diminishing Nigeria’s global diplomatic influence.