Report Questions N14 Billion Spent By Nigeria On Foreign Missions Without Envoys

Report Questions N14 Billion Spent By Nigeria On Foreign Missions Without Envoys

Amid ongoing delays in appointing ambassadors to Nigeria’s diplomatic missions, the Federal Government allocated approximately N14 billion to 16 foreign missions in July 2024, according to findings by Saturday PUNCH…….CONTINUE READING 

Nigeria operates 109 missions worldwide, including 76 embassies, 22 high commissions, and 11 consulates. On September 2, 2023, President Bola Tinubu recalled all career and non-career ambassadors from these missions. These envoys, appointed by Tinubu’s predecessor Muhammadu Buhari in July 2020, were instructed to return by October 31, 2023.

The lack of new ambassadorial appointments has sparked public concern about the country’s diplomatic representation and the efficiency of its foreign missions. Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar attributed the delay to financial and economic challenges faced by the current administration. During a May briefing in Abuja, Tuggar explained that insufficient funding has hampered the ministry’s operations and delayed ambassadorial appointments.

Despite these issues, records from GovSpend, a civic tech platform that monitors Federal Government spending, reveal that the government disbursed N13.7 billion for personnel costs at 16 foreign missions. These missions include locations in The Hague, Tokyo, Vienna, Washington, Berlin, Brasilia, Brussels, Paris, Beijing, Geneva, Jeddah, London, Madrid, Moscow, New York, and Ottawa. The funds were transferred through the FGN Treasury (TSA Settlement Centre) on July 19 and 29, 2024.

Former Nigerian ambassador to Singapore, Ogbole Ode, noted that while financial constraints have impacted ambassadorial appointments, consulate-level heads of missions have been deployed. He added that fluctuations in the naira’s value can affect the funds disbursed to overseas missions.

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