In a high-stakes meeting aimed at resolving chronic funding shortfalls, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed, visited the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation on Monday to press for timely release of budgeted allocations for Nigeria’s diplomatic and consular missions abroad.
The meeting described by ministry officials as “urgent and necessary” comes after years of funding delays that have plagued Nigeria’s foreign missions, affecting salaries, operational budgets, maintenance costs, and the ability to run day-to-day consular services.
According to a statement by the ministry’s spokesperson, discussions focused on improving the finances of the ministry, particularly ensuring that budgeted funds are released swiftly to diplomatic missions abroad and to headquarters, so as to clear outstanding obligations and restore full functionality to Nigeria’s global representation.
Why the Meeting Was Critical
- Over recent years, many Nigerian embassies and high commissions have reportedly struggled to pay staff salaries, settle rent, cover utility bills and vendor obligations a situation exacerbated by the country’s economic challenges and foreign exchange volatility.
- In September 2025, the ministry acknowledged widespread financial strain at missions abroad, attributing it to budget constraints and FX shortfalls, and announced plans for a “sustainable funding model” in collaboration with the AGF and the Central Bank of Nigeria.
- In response, the government established a debt-verification committee to audit and clear accumulated arrears. According to the ministry, more than 80% of available funds have since been cleared for payment, prioritizing service providers, locally-recruited staff salaries, and outstanding claims due to officers.
During the meeting, the Perm Sec requested:
- Prompt release of all outstanding allocations for 2025, including overhead, personnel and approved special-intervention funds.
- A simplified and predictable funding schedule to prevent recurrent delays.
- A mechanism for automatically reconciling foreign-currency shortfalls caused by exchange-rate swings an issue that previously undermined the real value of allocations to missions abroad.
The ministry emphasized that stable funding is vital to restore full consular services, safeguard the welfare of Nigerian diplomats abroad, and uphold Nigeria’s diplomatic standing internationally.
The renewed push for funding comes as the national legislature and oversight committees intensify pressure on the ministry. Recently, the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs summoned the Foreign Affairs Minister and heads of missions to account for the release and use of appropriated mission-funds including a US $54 million intervention for 2025. The committee insisted on audited records, mission-by-mission budget reports, and proof of payment to service providers, staff, and vendors.
Critics have warned that without transparent accounting and robust oversight, even fresh fund releases may end up mismanaged. Civil-society stakeholders have therefore urged the ministry and the AGF to ensure public disclosure of fund utilisation, regular audits, and prompt resolution of all outstanding liabilities.
Whether the AGF makes a public commitment to the timeline for fund disbursement. If embassies and high commissions abroad begin receiving cleared funds and resume full operational capacity. Outcomes of pending investigations by oversight bodies into prior fund utilisation and accountability. Implementation of a sustainable, long-term funding model that insulates missions from currency fluctuations and budgetary unpredictability.
The meeting between the Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary and the Accountant-General of the Federation marks a critical step toward addressing longstanding financial distress within Nigeria’s foreign missions. While the challenges are structural and complex involving budget, FX shortfalls, and oversight deficits the renewed push for timely funding offers hope that Nigeria’s diplomatic apparatus may soon regain stability, credibility, and the capacity to serve Nigerians at home and abroad.
