The Nigerian Federal Government has proposed a N53 billion budget for the renovation of 103 foreign missions. This allocation aims to address a range of critical needs, including the refurbishment of chanceries and staff quarters, upgrades to ambassadors’ residences, acquisition of new office furniture, and replacement of official vehicles. Specific allocations have been earmarked for missions in various locations, including Abidjan (N554 million), Banjul (N812 million), Brazzaville (N555 million), Port of Spain (N558 million), Caracas (N576 million), Kingston (N624 million), Libreville (N567 million), Buenos Aires (N409 million), and Niamey (N899 million), among others. However, this allocation falls significantly short of the estimated $1 billion required to address the extensive backlog of unpaid bills and adequately fund all 109 Nigerian missions worldwide, highlighting the persistent financial challenges faced by the country’s diplomatic network.
Despite the proposed renovations, Nigeria’s foreign missions continue to grapple with significant financial hurdles. Sources indicate that close to $1 billion is needed to clear outstanding debts and fully fund the operations of the country’s 109 missions globally, comprising 76 embassies, 22 high commissions, and 11 consulates. Upon assuming office, President Bola Tinubu initiated a review of Nigeria’s foreign policy, leading to the recall of 83 ambassadors in September 2023. The subsequent appointment of new envoys has been delayed due to budgetary constraints, hindering the effective functioning of Nigeria’s diplomatic corps. Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar has acknowledged the funding deficit, emphasizing the impracticality of deploying ambassadors without adequate resources to support their travel and operational expenses.
The financial predicament facing Nigeria’s foreign missions stems primarily from a substantial capital expenditure deficit. The majority of the embassies are reportedly in a state of disrepair, with inadequate residences, non-functional offices, and expired leases. Only a small fraction of the embassies, estimated at less than 10, are considered financially stable. The required funds are primarily needed for capital expenditure, including renovations, vehicle purchases, and addressing arrears in allowances and operational overheads. Many Foreign Service officers are owed several months of allowances, further exacerbating the financial strain on the missions.
Sending ambassadors to these underfunded missions without addressing the underlying financial issues would severely impede their ability to perform their duties effectively. Ambassadors arriving at these missions would face immense pressure from staff expecting solutions to their financial woes, but would lack the resources to provide any meaningful assistance. This dynamic creates a difficult situation for both the ambassadors and the embassy staff, hindering the smooth functioning of the missions and potentially damaging Nigeria’s image abroad. The situation is further complicated by the fact that the current heads of missions are civil servants who share the same financial burdens as their staff, creating a sense of solidarity in hardship. The arrival of a politically appointed ambassador, however, changes the dynamic, as they are seen as a figure of authority with the power to address these issues, placing them in a difficult position when they lack the necessary resources to do so.
The House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs has taken action in response to the inadequate budgetary allocation for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the 2025 budget proposal. The committee has summoned key figures, including the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, the Director General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dunoma Ahmed, to appear before it on January 14, 2025. The committee chairman, Oluwole Oke, has expressed concerns that the allocated N287 billion for recurrent (non-debt) expenditures is insufficient to meet the ministry’s needs, particularly the funding of Nigeria’s foreign missions. The ministry’s needs assessment indicated a requirement of N1.5 trillion, and the committee believes that a minimum of N500 billion is necessary, considering the Fiscal Responsibility Act, the Medium Term Expenditure Framework, and the fluctuating exchange rate.
Furthermore, the committee chairman has highlighted various factors contributing to the ministry’s financial challenges, including annual subscriptions to international organizations, allowances for Foreign Service officers, and the need to fund participation in the 2025 United Nations General Assembly. He has also raised concerns about the potential for the inadequate funding to undermine the President’s efforts to project a positive image of Nigeria on the global stage. He has suggested adopting mortgage and leasing models for acquiring properties and vehicles at foreign missions, rather than relying on expensive rental arrangements, and has proposed including a clause in the Finance Bill to facilitate this process. This approach, he argues, would provide a long-term solution to the persistent problem of dilapidated properties and inadequate resources at Nigerian missions worldwide. He also criticizes the lack of transparency and accountability within the ministry and its missions, suggesting that they are concealing the extent of their problems, which hinders efforts to address them effectively.
