Economic challenges preventing ambassadorial appointments, says foreign affairs minister

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has cited financial and economic difficulties as the primary reasons for the delay in appointing new ambassadors. Tuggar made this disclosure during a ministerial sectoral briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.

“The government’s strategy has shifted from subsidising consumption to prioritising production subsidies,” Tuggar explained. “However, just as our microeconomic reforms began to show positive results, the emergence of platforms like Binance and the rise of cryptocurrencies started to erode these gains.”

Tuggar pointed out that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not been receiving the necessary financial support to function effectively. He emphasised that appointing ambassadors without the funds to support their travel and the operational needs of the missions abroad would be ineffective.

“We found ourselves in a situation where the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was not funded as it should be. Financial loopholes are being exploited by platforms like Binance. It is fundamentally a financial issue. There is no point in sending out ambassadors if we lack the funds for them to travel to their designated posts and to manage the missions effectively,” he stated.

Despite these challenges, Tuggar assured that the government is taking steps to resolve the issue. “Mr. President is addressing this, and we expect a resolution in due course,” he concluded.

On September 2, 2023, President Bola Tinubu recalled all career and non-career ambassadors from Nigeria’s diplomatic missions, embassies, and consulates worldwide. These envoys were directed to return to Nigeria by October 31. This recall included 41 non-career ambassadors and 42 career ambassadors appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in July 2020.

The lack of appointed ambassadors has raised concerns about Nigeria’s diplomatic representation and the effectiveness of its foreign missions. Tuggar explained that upon assuming office, President Tinubu prioritised the removal of subsidies on consumption to redirect focus towards production subsidies.

Nigeria operates 109 diplomatic missions globally, including 76 embassies, 22 high commissions, and 11 consulates. However, these missions have been struggling due to a lack of adequate funding.