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Workers in 109 embassies groan over six-month unpaid salaries
At least 450 foreign service officers in 109 Nigerian missions abroad have yet to receive their salaries for the past five to six months.
The officials, serving under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are in financial distress and cannot pay rent and children’s school fees or meet other family and social obligations.
The acting spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, acknowledged the financial challenges facing the Nigerian missions and assured that the leadership was working to resolve the issue.
He stated, “The ministry is aware of the difficulties faced by the missions abroad, and the leadership is working seriously to address the situation.
“With the recent passage of the 2025 Appropriation Act by the National Assembly, there is strong optimism that the Bill will be signed into law soonest by Mr President and that will positively impact the finances of the ministry and missions abroad.”
Findings indicate that the ministry spent N251.71bn on salaries in four years.
This comes on the heels of the increased budgetary allocation to the ministry and the missions.
In 2021, a total of N73.14bn was budgeted by the ministry with N34.38bn earmarked for personnel expenditure. For 2022, the ministry budgeted N88.09bn out of which N55.27bn was expended on salaries.
In 2023, N98.11bn was approved while N62.30bn was allocated for personnel costs and in 2024, N160.06bn was appropriated while N99.76bn was allocated for salaries.
In the 2025 budget, the foreign affairs ministry proposed N353.77bn, with N214.64bn earmarked for personnel costs, N72.24bn for overheads and N66.82bn for capital expenditure.
The Federal Government equally proposed N53bn to renovate 103 foreign missions this year.
The funds will cover various needs, including renovations of chanceries, staff quarters, ambassadors’ residences, purchase of office furniture, and official vehicles, among others.
Allocations include N554m for the foreign mission in Abidjan; N812m for Banjul; N555m for Brazzaville; N558m for Port of Spain; N576m for Caracas; N624m for Kingston; N567m for Libreville; N409m for Buenos Aires, N899m for Niamey, among others.
Despite the increased appropriation, funding for the missions was insufficient, with many of them struggling to finance their operations and renovations.
The situation had been worsened by delays in the appointment of new ambassadors.
Senior Presidency and Foreign Service officials earlier informed our correspondent that about $1bn was required to clear the backlogs of bills and adequately finance the nation’s 109 missions, 76 embassies, 22 high commissions and 11 consulates globally.
On taking office, President Bola Tinubu reassessed Nigeria’s foreign policy and initiated a recall of 83 ambassadors in September 2023.
The process of appointing new envoys has, however, faced delays due to financial shortfalls.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, admitted insufficient funding for essential embassy operations and ambassadorial support.
“There is no point sending out ambassadors if you do not have the funds for them to even travel to their designated country and to run the missions effectively, one needs funding.
“Mr President is working on it, and it will be done in due course,” he said during a ministerial briefing in May 2023.
Sources within the ministry, however, attributed the embarrassing financial situation to poor funding and delays in the 2025 budget passage.
Officials at various embassies disclosed that they had not been paid for several months, with some going without their salaries since August or September 2024.
An official who spoke on the condition of anonymity lamented that the delay in budget approval had left the missions struggling to cover basic operational costs.
This includes rent, embassy staff salaries and payments to service providers.
As a result, the missions have accumulated significant debts, with several service providers taking legal action to recover unpaid dues, the source added.
“This is mid-February, and the budget has not been approved or signed. How are the missions faring under this reality of financial neglect?
“The debts are piling up, and some service providers have dragged some missions to court for redress. Some staff in most foreign missions have not been paid for six months,” the source stated.
Another source revealed that embassy staff were unable to effectively serve the needs of Nigerians abroad due to the financial difficulties faced by their missions.
He stated that the delay in the budget passage had caused considerable hardship for the missions, as it also affected their ability to provide consular services to Nigerians in distress abroad.
“The missions are struggling to stay afloat, and the lack of funds has a direct impact on their ability to serve Nigerians abroad,” the source stated, stressing that the situation required urgent intervention.
A Foreign Service Officer who concluded his duty tour last year stated, “Due to paucity of funds, officers are faced with the unfortunate situation of using their personal funds to buy consumables such as toners, ink for printers and papers for the missions.”
Ex-diplomat Rasheed Akinkuolie traced the problem to the 1983 overthrow of the second civilian administration and the long military rule.
Akinkuolie said, “The underfunding of Nigerian diplomatic missions started from around 1983, with the overthrow of the second civilian administration and long military rule. And it was at that point that the funding of Nigerian missions became measly.
“The military did not appreciate the critical role Nigerian missions play in economic, social, security, and image of Nigeria abroad.
“Since the military was in power for a long time, the underfunding persisted and continued under the civilian administration till date,” he said.
Akinkuolie pointed out that the budget for the foreign affairs ministry in 2025, when spread across 109 missions, could not sustain them.
“The budget of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2025 is N353bn or $233m. If this is spread across 109 missions, this amounts to very little.
“Nigeria High Commission in London is allocated N7bn or £3.6m, where drivers have to be paid a minimum wage of about £1,500 a month,” he further stressed.
The retired diplomat also highlighted the negative impact of fluctuating exchange rates, stating, “The allocation in naira is still subjected to the vagaries of the exchange rate.
“This is a real problem, which must be addressed to enable the ministry to retain its best officers and attract the best candidates.”
He added that the current system had forced many officers to resign and join the United Nations and other organisations.
“Several officers simply leave and join the UN and other international organisations, while at post. This is dangerous and inimical to Nigeria’s interests,” he asserted.
To solve the long-standing issue, Akinkuolie proposed reverting to the old practice of budgeting in both US dollars and naira.
“The old practice of budgeting in USD and naira will solve this perennial problem. The allocation to missions should be remitted directly to missions in USD by the Central Bank, while the component for running the ministry in Nigeria should be in naira,” he advised.
A retired ambassador who spoke anonymously noted that the issue had been “persisting for quite some time, and even the non-deployment of new ambassadors is linked to the financial challenges.”
While noting that the foreign affairs minister acknowledged the cash flow issues, he argued that diplomats’ allowances should still be paid on time.
Reflecting on his retirement, the ex-envoy expressed relief at “being removed from the situation.”
He criticised the handling of foreign exchange, adding that the remittances used to be directly managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs but, over time, he said personal conflicts and inefficiencies in the system have complicated the process.
The ex-ambassador also recalled a difficult personal experience in office “where bureaucratic delays and personal animosities made the situation even worse.”
Ultimately, he expressed frustration with the system but also expressed gratitude for being at peace in retirement.
A foreign affairs analyst, Charles Onunaiju, highlighted the lack of leadership in Nigerian high commissions, with no substantive heads of missions months after the President’s inauguration.
The leadership vacuum, he noted, was causing significant dysfunction, including delays in salary payments to embassy staff, unpaid bills, and poor service to Nigerians abroad.
“The proper head of mission to make adequate representation to Nigeria on the plight of the staff is not there,” he said.
He explained that diplomatic positions were often used as rewards for political allies rather than being filled by competent professionals who could promote the country’s interests abroad.
Onunaiju called for a shift from the current system where diplomatic roles were seen as political rewards.
“The politicians have been negligent of the foreign service and diplomatic service,” Onunaiju stated, stressing the broader systemic issues.
The international relations expert also pointed out that without proper leadership, the embassy staff could not effectively advocate for resources and better working conditions, leading to operational challenges.
“No head of mission is there. Nobody can make adequate representation to the government and speak authoritatively,” he noted.
He further stressed that the absence of ambassadors or high commissioners hampered the missions’ ability to address the issues which impacted Nigeria’s diplomatic influence and international standing.
Onunaiju stressed the need for reform and a more professional, merit-based approach to diplomacy to address the dysfunction in Nigeria’s foreign service.
“We will continue to experience dysfunction in our foreign missions until we do the right thing,” he said.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced the demise of its Enugu State Sector Commander, Corps Commander Franklin O Agbakoba.
This is contained in a statement issued by FRSC Deputy Corps Commander in-charge of Enugu State Operations, DCC Kyrian C Okolo, on Friday in Enugu.
“FRSC Enugu State Sector Command received the sad news of the demise of CC Franklin Agbakoba on Thursday, July 30,2026.
“The late Sector Commander died at Niger Foundation Hospital, Enugu where he was receiving treatment.
“His corpse have been deposited at the Eastern Medical Center, Enugu,” he said.
Until his death,CC Franklin Agbakoba made inter-agency collaboration and partnership his legacy and promoted safer roads within Enugu State.
The family’s head, Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi, made the demand during an interview with Arise News on Thursday.
“I think the family needs apology. The family needs to be compensated. We need sincere apology. We need sincere reconciliation,” he said.
He described his uncle as a visionary leader who was wrongly punished for a coup he had no role in.
“He was a man of vision. He was a detribalized Nigerian. He was a good leader,” he said.
Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi noted that his uncle’s tenure as Head of State was brief and ended violently.
“He occupied the seat of head of state for only six months, and he was taken away from us.
“Not because of a sin he committed, because he wasn’t part of the January 1966 coup.”
According to him, Aguiyi-Ironsi’s death resulted from his position rather than any wrongdoing on his part.
“Only because of his position as the most senior military officer, he was told to take charge. And then that cost him his life,” he said.
He expressed hope that his appeal would reach those with the power to act on it.
“Well, I hope there are people who are in positions to make this happen that are listening to you tonight,” he said.
Aguiyi-Ironsi served as Nigeria’s Head of State from January 16 to July 29, 1966, taking charge in the aftermath of the January 15, 1966 coup that had claimed the lives of the country’s political leadership.
He survived that coup and helped crush the mutiny, but his later decision to centralise power under Decree 34, along with his failure to prosecute the plotters, fuelled resentment among northern officers.
He was killed on July 29, 1966, alongside his host, Lieutenant Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, in a mutiny by northern soldiers that became known as the July counter-coup
The directive was contained in a memorandum dated July 13, 2026, and signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi.
Addressed to litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and lawyers, the circular said the order took immediate effect and formed part of efforts to uphold professional standards within the apex court.
The memorandum read, “I am directed by the Honourable the Chief Justice of Nigeria to notify all Litigation Staff, Legal Practitioners, Court Registrars, and Lawyers that the use of the title ‘Barrister’ as a prefix to names is inappropriate and inconsistent with the standards of professionalism expected within the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”
It further directed all affected officers to immediately stop using the title in official correspondence and other official materials.
The memo stated, “Consequently, all officers concerned are hereby directed to discontinue the use of the title ‘Barrister’ before their names in all official correspondence, records, documents, identity materials, and any other official engagements with immediate effect.”
The memorandum added, “Heads of Departments and Unit Heads are requested to ensure strict compliance with this directive by all officers under their supervision. Please be guided accordingly.”
The directive comes weeks after the Council of Legal Education cautioned prospective lawyers against wearing wigs and gowns or presenting themselves as qualified legal practitioners before they are formally called to the Nigerian Bar.
The council said such conduct undermined the dignity of the legal profession and warned that violators could face disciplinary measures.
It also reminded candidates that the use of legal regalia is governed by the Rules of Professional Conduct and is reserved for duly qualified legal practitioners
The Enugu State Government says it has intensified fight against quackery across all health professions, particularly in the laboratory practice within the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, revealed this on Friday while receiving the National President of Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), Dr. Casimir Ifeanyi, on a courtesy visit to his office in Enugu.
Ugwu decried the growing trend of unprofessional practices and establishments where laboratory services are combined with pharmacies, patient treatment areas, provision stores, and other unauthorised activities.
According to him, such practices are unacceptable and dangerous to public health.
He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to eliminate quackery especially in laboratory practices and operations through sustained monitoring, regulation and enforcement.
The commissioner also commended the association for its dedication to promoting excellence in medical laboratory science and public health advocacy.
He assured the team of the ministry’s willingness to collaborate with professional bodies whose activities align with the government’s vision of delivering accessible, quality, and people-centred healthcare services across the state.
Ugwu stressed the remarkable strides recorded under the administration of Gov. Peter Mbah in transforming the health sector, including investments in healthcare infrastructure, workforce development, primary healthcare revitalisation and improved service delivery.
He urged the association to remain steadfast in upholding professionalism and ethical standards, emphasising that stronger partnerships between government and healthcare professionals remained essential in building a healthier Enugu State.
Earlier, Ifeanyi, who made the visit with some members of his national executive and Enugu State Chapter of AMLSN, briefed the commissioner on the association’s forthcoming AMLSN Annual Public Health Lecture.
He solicited the state government’s goodwill, support and participation in the event, which would be held in Enugu.
“The annual lecture is aimed at advancing quality healthcare delivery, promoting public health awareness, and fostering stronger collaboration among healthcare professionals and government institutions,” he said.
He noted that the association remained committed to improving professional standards and supporting initiatives that would enhance healthcare outcomes for residents of Enugu State and Nigeria at large.
…Inaugurates Amufie Town Union executives
By Chinedu Sabastine
The Enugu State Government has urged Town Union President Generals (PGs) across the state to adopt inclusive leadership that promotes peace, unity and sustainable development in their communities.
The Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Chief Charles Egumgbe, gave the charge on Wednesday while inaugurating the newly elected 14-member executives of the Amufie Town Union in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area.
The executive committee, led by the President-General, Engr. Kenneth Okechukwu Ogili, was presented with certificates of return at the ministry’s headquarters in Enugu.
Egumgbe urged the new leadership to ensure transparency, accountability and regular engagement with members, stressing that women and youths must be carried along in decision-making.
He advised the executives against operating exclusive caucuses, noting that town union affairs should be conducted openly through regular meetings where decisions are collectively taken.
“You must carry everybody along. Let your policies be all-inclusive and ensure that members are well informed about your activities. Matters should be tabled before the executive and decisions reached collectively,” he said.
The commissioner warned against abuse of office, particularly in matters relating to community land, stressing that anyone found working against the interest of the community could be removed under the state’s Town Union law.
“I don’t know whether you will receive remuneration because this is service to humanity. But whatever you do, don’t sell community land illegally. Land has a way of fighting for itself,” he cautioned.
Responding, the new inaugurated President-General, Ogili, pledged to lead with transparency and work closely with his executive to promote peace, unity and development in Amufie.
He said the administration would prioritise security by strengthening the neighbourhood watch and collaborating with security agencies to flush out criminals from identified flashpoints.
Ogili also promised to maintain a cordial working relationship with the traditional ruler of the community.
“The Igwe is our father. We have different constitutional roles, and there will be no conflict between us. We shall work harmoniously for the peace and progress of Amufie,” he said.
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