Nigerian diplomats, missions hit by Tinubu’s economic measures, can’t pay salaries, rents

By Kingston Magare 2.9.2025
Several Nigerian diplomatic and consular missions overseas are in danger of shutting down following a cash crunched caused by the economic meltdown of the country.
The missions are facing financial crisis, swimming in debts and cannot meet their obligations to staff, landlords and services providers.
In statement released on Monday, spokesperson for the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa, confirmed the dire situation saying that it was caused by the present economic realities in the country.
“The ministry is not unaware of the restrictions that financial limitations have placed on the smooth running of the missions, including the inability to pay salaries of locally recruited staff, financial obligations to service providers, rent to landlords, and the foreign service allowance to home-based officers,” the statement read.
“It is pertinent to state, however, that the Nigerian diplomatic missions are not immune to the economic situation at home and its attendant challenges to government operations.
“The financial situation in our missions stems from budgetary limitations over the years, resulting in shortfalls in allocations.”
He added that the ministry has engaged the Office of the Accountant-General with a view of clearing the backlog of financial obligations.
“The Ministry has also engaged the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation in obtaining refunds for the shortfall in Missions’ allocations in the 2024 fiscal year due to foreign exchange differentials associated with the new monetary policy and the harmonisation of exchange rates. To mitigate its impact, the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has graciously approved the settlement of the shortfall. Consequently, the first tranche has already been remitted to all Missions, with some having confirmed receipt.
“Similarly, the Second Semester Allocations have also been approved. The Ministry is engaging with the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria to facilitate the prompt release of Personnel and Overhead Cost Allocations to all Missions, starting this week, to clear outstanding Allowances and further alleviate the financial situation of the Missions. With these efforts, Missions have begun to stabilise.”