Over 450 Nigerian foreign service officers in 109 missions worldwide have gone unpaid for five to six months, leading to severe financial difficulties. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledges the issue and is working towards a resolution, with hopes that the passage of the 2025 Appropriation Act will improve funding.
Despite increased budget allocations, embassies remain underfunded, accumulating debts and facing lawsuits from service providers. The crisis is worsened by delays in appointing ambassadors after the recall of 83 envoys in 2023.
Experts and former diplomats call for reforms, advocating for a merit-based diplomatic system and a dual-currency budgeting approach to stabilize embassy funding. Without urgent intervention, Nigeria’s foreign missions may struggle to function effectively.
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