The Federal Government has assured that the unpaid salaries of workers in 109 Nigerian embassies will be cleared once President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signs the 2025 Appropriation Act into law.
The acting spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja while reacting to reports of financial challenges affecting Nigerian missions abroad.
Ebienfa acknowledged the difficulties faced by at least 450 workers in these embassies, including their inability to meet essential financial obligations such as rent and school fees.
“The ministry is aware of the challenges confronting the missions, and the leadership is working seriously to address the situation,” he said.
“With the recent passage of the 2025 Appropriation Act by the National Assembly, there is strong optimism that Mr. President will sign it into law soon, which will positively impact the finances of the ministry and missions abroad.”
According to official records, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spent N251.71 billion on salaries in the past four years. In the 2025 budget, the ministry proposed N353.77 billion, with N214.64 billion allocated for personnel costs, N72.24 billion for overhead, and N53 billion earmarked for the renovation of 103 foreign missions.
The government’s financial difficulties have also affected Nigeria’s diplomatic operations. In September 2023, President Tinubu recalled 83 ambassadors as part of a foreign policy reassessment. However, financial constraints have delayed the appointment of new envoys.
Similarly, in May 2023, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, warned against deploying ambassadors without adequate funding to sustain them.
Nigeria has also faced diplomatic challenges in recent months. Notably, the Canadian embassy recently denied visas to Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, and other senior military officials, drawing criticism from National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Stakeholders are hopeful that the approval of the 2025 budget will ease the financial strain on Nigerian missions and improve the country’s diplomatic engagements.
