Nigeria Moves to Stabilise Foreign Missions Amid Funding Challenges, As Ambassador Dahiru Criticised Government Priorities

The Federal Government of Nigeria has admitted that several embassies and consulates abroad are grappling with severe financial difficulties but assured that urgent measures are being taken to restore stability.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said many missions had struggled to meet obligations such as staff salaries, rents, and service payments due to long-standing budgetary shortfalls.

The statement, signed by ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, noted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration had approved special intervention funds to cushion the effects, with over 80 per cent of debts already cleared.

The ministry also revealed that the Accountant-General’s office had been engaged to recover shortfalls from the 2024 budget caused by exchange rate harmonisation.

The first tranche of refunds has been remitted, while second semester allocations have also been approved.

According to the ministry, “Missions have begun to stabilise,” and further allocations will be released this week.

Ambassador Sulaiman Dahiru, speaking to BBC Hausa on Tuesday, said exchange rate policies had complicated embassy operations.

“When funds are brought in dollars, the Ministry of Finance insists on conversion to naira, leaving embassies stranded. Are embassies abroad supposed to spend naira?” he asked.

He further criticised government priorities, arguing: “Foreign relations are not being taken seriously by this government. The problem is not lack of money in Nigeria but misuse of funds in the wrong areas.”

The Ministry pledged to develop a sustainable financial model for embassies as part of wider fiscal reforms, while commending the resilience of diplomatic staff and the understanding of host countries.

It expressed confidence that the current challenges would be temporary.