Nigerian Foreign Service Officers Face Unpaid Salaries and Operational Challenges
At least 450 foreign service officers in Nigeria’s 109 missions abroad have gone without their salaries for the past five to six months, leading to financial distress that has left many unable to pay rent, children’s school fees, or meet family obligations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has acknowledged the issue and assured that efforts are being made to resolve it.
Kimiebi Ebienfa, the acting spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed the financial challenges and expressed optimism that the recent passage of the 2025 Appropriation Act would alleviate the situation once signed into law by President Bola Tinubu. Over the past four years, the ministry has spent N251.71bn on salaries. Despite increased budget allocations, funding remains insufficient.
For 2021, the ministry’s budget totaled N73.14bn, with N34.38bn allocated for personnel costs. In 2022, N88.09bn was budgeted, with N55.27bn spent on salaries. By 2023, the budget had risen to N98.11bn, with N62.30bn set aside for personnel costs. The 2024 budget reached N160.06bn, of which N99.76bn was allocated for salaries.
The proposed 2025 budget for the ministry stands at N353.77bn, with N214.64bn earmarked for personnel costs, N72.24bn for overheads, and N66.82bn for capital expenditures. Additionally, N53bn has been proposed to renovate 103 foreign missions.
Despite these allocations, missions are struggling to finance basic operations and renovations. Officials disclosed they have not received salaries since August or September 2024. Missions have accumulated significant debts, with some service providers taking legal action to recover unpaid dues.
The financial difficulties have impacted the missions’ ability to provide consular services to Nigerians abroad. One foreign service officer reported using personal funds to purchase essential office supplies. Delayed budget approval has exacerbated the situation, leaving embassy staff unable to meet operational costs.
Upon taking office, President Tinubu initiated a recall of 83 ambassadors in September 2023. However, delays in appointing new envoys due to financial constraints have left many missions without substantive leadership. Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar highlighted the issue, stating that funding is necessary to send ambassadors and run missions effectively.
Ex-diplomat Rasheed Akinkuolie traced the underfunding of Nigerian diplomatic missions back to the 1983 overthrow of Nigeria’s second civilian administration and the subsequent military rule. He noted that current allocations are insufficient when spread across 109 missions, with fluctuating exchange rates further complicating matters. Akinkuolie proposed reverting to budgeting in both USD and naira to address the issue.
Many officers have resigned to join international organizations like the United Nations due to poor working conditions. A retired ambassador confirmed the systemic challenges and emphasized the need for timely payment of allowances.
Foreign affairs analyst Charles Onunaiju highlighted the leadership vacuum in Nigerian high commissions, which has led to dysfunction and delayed salary payments. He criticized the use of diplomatic positions as political rewards rather than merit-based appointments. Onunaiju stressed the need for reform, advocating for professional diplomacy to improve Nigeria’s diplomatic influence and operational efficiency.
The ongoing financial and operational crises in Nigeria’s foreign missions underscore the urgent need for systemic reforms and improved budget management. Addressing these challenges will require a shift toward merit-based diplomacy, timely budget approval, and adequate funding to support Nigeria’s international engagements.