The Nigeria Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that several of its diplomatic and consular missions abroad are struggling with significant financial difficulties, including unpaid rent and salary arrears for local staff. The ministry attributes these challenges to budgetary shortfalls and foreign exchange policy changes, which have disrupted the smooth functioning of these missions.
Sevrral embassies owe substantial amounts to landlords, with some facing possible closure due to unpaid ground rents. For instance, 34 foreign embassies in Abuja owe over N3.6 million in ground rent, with some embassies owing as much as N1, 718, 211, like the Indonesia Defense Attache. Locally recruited staff have not been paid their salaries, causing strain on employees and their families. Embassies are struggling to meet their financial obligations to service providers.
The Federal government has taken steps to address these issues, including releasing special intervention funds to cushion the hardship faced by missions and disbursing over 80% over available funds, prioritizing service providers, salaries of local staff, and arrears officers’ claims. A verification committee was established to review the debt profiles of missions and ensure that payments are legitimate and equitably shared. The government is committed to resolving Nigeria’s global diplomatic standing and ensuring the welfare of its diplomatic staff.
Stay informed about the latest developments affecting Nigerians in the diaspora!
Follow us for more updates:
facebook.com/TheNidm
www.thenidm.com
#NigerianEmbassiesCrisis #FinancialChallenges #DiplomaticMission #ForeignAffairs #GovernmentResponse
