Staff of Nigerian foreign missions have expressed their frustration and hardship over the non-payment of their salaries and allowances by the Tinubu-led government for the past six months.
According to Sahara Reporters, a reliable source in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the situation had become unbearable for the staff and their families, as they could not afford to pay for their basic needs such as food, rent, school fees, and medical bills.
The source said that the Tinubu government had failed to release the quarterly allocations for the foreign missions since July 2023, despite several appeals and memos from the ministry and the missions.
“To show you how dire the situation is”, the source said, "Some of the embassies cannot fuel official cars," adding that checks with consulate in New York, embassies like Brussels, among others had confirmed the ugly situation in their jurisdiction.
The source also said that some of the missions had resorted to borrowing money from local banks and other sources to keep their operations running, while others had been threatened with eviction by their landlords.
The source blamed the Tinubu government for its lack of priority and commitment to the welfare of the foreign missions staff, who are the representatives of the country abroad.
The source said that the Tinubu government had been spending lavishly on its domestic agenda, such as the controversial National Identification Number (NIN) project, the rehabilitation of the Aso Rock Villa, and the purchase of new presidential jets, while neglecting the foreign missions.
The source called on the Tinubu government to urgently release the funds for the foreign missions, and to ensure regular and timely payment of their salaries and allowances.
The source also urged the National Assembly to intervene and hold the Tinubu government accountable for its actions.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria has a global reach with presence in over 100 cities, including Africa, America, Asia, and Europe.
The ministry's vision is to build a credible foreign service that will advance and protect Nigeria's national interests, promote regional and global peace, security and cooperation, and enhance the country's image and reputation in the international community.
The ministry's mission is to formulate, implement and coordinate Nigeria's foreign policy and external economic relations, in line with the country's national priorities and aspirations, and in conformity with the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter and the African Union Constitutive Act.
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