Senate Raises Alarm Over Funding Crisis in Foreign Affairs Ministry

Senate Raises Alarm Over Funding Crisis in Foreign Affairs Ministry

The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs has raised serious concerns over the deepening funding crisis affecting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, warning that the situation is weakening Nigeria’s diplomatic influence and damaging its global image.

The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, voiced the concerns on Wednesday during an oversight session with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and senior officials of the ministry at the National Assembly.

Bello disclosed that several Nigerian missions abroad are currently facing acute financial challenges. These include unpaid salaries of locally engaged staff, outstanding school fees for diplomats’ children, unsettled medical and legal bills, as well as mounting operational expenses such as rent, electricity, internet services, and maintenance of official vehicles.

According to the Committee Chairman, in some countries, local staff have reportedly gone three to four months without receiving their salaries, creating low morale and placing significant strain on diplomatic operations.

The Committee further expressed worry over Nigeria’s growing statutory obligations to international organisations, noting that delays in paying assessed contributions have exposed the country to reputational risks and possible sanctions.

Responding, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, acknowledged the severity of the financial strain on the ministry. He stated that inadequate funding has significantly limited the ministry’s ability to conduct proactive and effective diplomacy.

Tuggar specifically referenced outstanding contributions to key multilateral bodies such as the United Nations and the African Union, warning that persistent delays in meeting these obligations could undermine Nigeria’s standing within the international community.

Following deliberations, the Committee directed the ministry to submit a detailed breakdown of its outstanding liabilities, including international dues, to enable further engagement with the Appropriations Committee.

Lawmakers, however, assured the ministry of continued legislative backing while calling for urgent steps to stabilise funding and strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic missions across the globe.