Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, OFR, has assured Nigerians at home and abroad that the Federal Government is taking decisive steps to address the financial difficulties currently facing the country’s diplomatic and consular missions.
In a statement released on Monday, September 1, 2025, the Ministry acknowledged that many Nigerian missions abroad have recently struggled to meet financial obligations, including the payment of salaries to locally recruited staff, rent to landlords, and allowances to home-based officers.
The Ministry noted that the constraints are a direct reflection of Nigeria’s broader economic situation, with years of budgetary limitations resulting in shortfalls that have hindered the optimal functioning of missions.
To ease the strain, the Minister revealed that President Tinubu approved the release of special intervention funds, which have already been disbursed to missions to settle outstanding debts. A committee set up by the Ministry under Tuggar’s directive has vetted and cleared over 80 percent of available funds for payment, prioritising service providers, salaries of local staff, and arrears due to officers.
The Ministry has also secured refunds from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to cover shortfalls in 2024 allocations caused by foreign exchange differentials. Tuggar explained that the President had graciously approved settlement of these gaps, with the first tranche already remitted and confirmed by some missions. He added that second semester allocations have been approved and are expected to be released promptly through engagements with the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Under his leadership, the Ministry is also working on a sustainable funding model for missions abroad, exploring innovative and efficient measures to guarantee long-term stability.
While acknowledging the resilience of Nigeria’s diplomatic staff who continue to serve under challenging conditions, Tuggar commended the patience and cooperation of host governments, service providers, and international partners.
“The government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, working through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, remains unwavering in its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s global presence and safeguarding the welfare of every Nigerian citizen abroad,” Tuggar affirmed.
Officials say these interventions have already begun to stabilise the financial situation of missions, even as the Ministry pushes ahead with reforms designed to ensure effective and sustainable operations in the future.