Headlines

At least 450 foreign service officers across 109 Nigerian missions abroad have not received their salaries for the past five to six months, leaving them in severe financial distress.

The affected officials, who serve under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are struggling to meet essential obligations such as rent, children’s school fees, and other family and social responsibilities.

The acting spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, acknowledged the financial challenges affecting the missions and assured that efforts were underway to resolve the situation.

“The ministry is aware of the difficulties faced by the missions abroad, and the leadership is working seriously to address the situation,” Ebienfa stated.

He further expressed optimism that with the recent passage of the 2025 Appropriation Act by the National Assembly, President Bola Tinubu would soon sign it into law, which would positively impact the ministry’s finances and those of the missions abroad.

Ministry Spent N251.71 Billion on Salaries in Four Years

Findings indicate that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spent N251.71 billion on salaries over the past four years, despite facing recurrent financial shortfalls.

In 2021, the ministry was allocated N73.14 billion, with N34.38 billion designated for personnel expenditure. The 2022 budget rose to N88.09 billion, of which N55.27 billion was used for salaries. In 2023, N98.11 billion was approved, with N62.30 billion allocated for personnel costs. The 2024 budget stood at N160.06 billion, with N99.76 billion allocated for salaries.

For 2025, the ministry has proposed a budget of N353.77 billion, including N214.64 billion for personnel costs, N72.24 billion for overheads, and N66.82 billion for capital expenditure.

N53 Billion Allocated for Foreign Mission Renovations

The federal government has also proposed N53 billion for the renovation of 103 foreign missions in 2025. These funds will cover various expenses, including the refurbishment of chanceries, staff quarters, ambassadors’ residences, procurement of office furniture, and official vehicles.

Some of the key allocations include:

• N554 million for the Nigerian mission in Abidjan
• N812 million for Banjul
• N555 million for Brazzaville
• N558 million for Port of Spain
• N576 million for Caracas
• N624 million for Kingston
• N567 million for Libreville
• N409 million for Buenos Aires
• N899 million for Niamey

Despite the increased appropriation, funding remains insufficient, with many missions struggling to sustain operations and complete necessary renovations.

Delayed Ambassadorial Appointments Worsen Situation

The crisis has been exacerbated by delays in appointing new ambassadors following President Tinubu’s recall of 83 envoys in September 2023. Financial constraints have slowed down the process, with Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar admitting that embassy operations require substantial funding.

“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,” Tuggar stated during a ministerial briefing in May 2023. He added that the president was working on resolving the issue.

Embassies Struggling to Stay Afloat Amid Rising Debts

Sources within the ministry have attributed the financial strain to poor funding and delays in passing the 2025 budget. Officials at various embassies disclosed that some had not been paid since August or September 2024, making it difficult to cover essential expenses such as rent, staff salaries, and service provider payments.

One embassy official, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that several service providers had taken legal action to recover unpaid dues.

“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 missions to court for redress. Some staff in most foreign missions have not been paid for six months,” the source lamented.

Another official highlighted that embassy staff were unable to effectively serve Nigerians abroad due to the financial crisis.

“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, emphasizing the need for urgent government intervention.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced a scheduled seven-hour power outage in parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) due to planned maintenance work.

In a statement on Thursday, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, said the affected areas would experience blackouts on Saturday, February 22, and Sunday, February 23, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day.

The outage, Mbah explained, is necessary for the annual preventive maintenance of the 2x100MVA TR3 and TR4 transformers at the Apo 132/33kV Transmission Substation in Abuja.

“The planned power interruptions are unavoidable, as Abuja DisCo will be unable to receive bulk power supply from the transformers during the maintenance period. Power supply will be restored to the affected areas upon completion of the maintenance exercise,” the statement read.

According to TCN, the outage on Saturday, February 22, will affect the National Hospital, G2 Injection Station, Garki, Area 1, and Asokoro. Other impacted areas include Apo Legislative Quarters, Apo Resettlement, Gudu, Apo Mechanic, and surrounding communities.

The company apologised for any inconvenience caused, assuring that power supply would be restored immediately after the maintenance work is completed.

The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of $4.7 million, ₦830 million, and multiple properties linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

Justice Yellim Bogoro, in a judgment delivered on Friday, also ordered the forfeiture of investments worth $900,000 traced to Anita Joy Omoile, a close associate of Emefiele. Additionally, the court approved the forfeiture of a $4.4 million investment linked to Deep Blue Energy Services Ltd and ₦283 million in a Zenith Bank account held by Liman Investment Ltd. Other forfeited assets include €20,000 and £1,999.50 traced to Exactquote Bureau De Change.

The ruling followed an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which argued that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities. Justice Bogoro granted the final forfeiture to the Federal Government after holding that the funds and properties were linked to corrupt practices.

Among the forfeited assets are 94 units of an 11-floor building under construction at 2 Otunba Elegushi 2nd Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos; AM Plaza, an 11-floor office space in Lekki; Imore Industrial Park in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos; Mitrewood and Tatler Warehouse, a furniture plant in Ibeju-Lekki; and two properties purchased from Chevron Nigeria located in Lakes Estate, Lekki.

Other forfeited properties include a plot at Lekki Foreshore Estate, an estate in Coppel, Texas, owned by Lipam Investment Services, land on Bunmi Olowude Street in Lekki Phase 1, and a property on Bayo Kuku Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The EFCC, led by Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Bilikisi Buhari-Bala, and six other prosecutors, told the court that Emefiele, while serving as CBN governor from 2014 to 2023, used close associates and allies to conceal and disguise proceeds of illegal activities through various accounts in Nigeria and abroad.

Former Military Head of State, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB), has dismissed claims that the 1966 military coup was an “Igbo coup,” stating that its leader, Major Kaduna Nzeogwu, was more Hausa than Igbo.

In his newly released book, A Journey in Service, Babangida described Nzeogwu as a fluent Hausa speaker who was Igbo only by name. He noted that Nzeogwu, born and raised in Kaduna to parents from Okpanam in present-day Delta State, was deeply integrated into Hausa culture.

Babangida condemned Nzeogwu’s role in the assassination of Sir Ahmadu Bello and his wife, Hafsatu, calling it “heinously callous” given their widespread admiration.

He wrote: “Nzeogwu and his original team probably thought, even if naively, that they could turn things around for the better in the country. However, the coup was soon infiltrated by outsiders, giving it an ethnic color, especially since no related coup activities occurred in the Eastern Region.”

Babangida also highlighted that some senior Igbo officers were among the coup’s victims. He cited Lt-Col. Arthur Chinyelu Unegbe, who was killed by his fellow Igbo officer, Major Chris Anuforo, for being perceived as a threat to the coup.

He further pointed out that non-Igbo officers, including Major Adewale Ademoyega, Captain Ganiyu Adeleke, and Lts. Pola Oyewole and Olafimihan, participated in the coup, while another Igbo officer, Major John Obienu, played a key role in crushing it.

Addressing claims of ethnic motivations, Babangida referenced the plotters’ alleged plan to release Chief Obafemi Awolowo from prison and install him as Nigeria’s executive provisional president. He suggested this action contradicted the notion of the coup being an Igbo conspiracy, though he admitted his view might be speculative.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the relocation of 29 correctional centres from urban areas across the country.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the development on Friday during the unveiling of new operational vehicles for the Nigerian Correctional Service.

Further details on the relocation are expected to be provided later.

Stakeholders from the six states of the Niger Delta region have strongly condemned Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for her recent remarks against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

In a statement issued on Friday, Comrade Alice Omo-Ovie, leader of the Niger Delta Mothers for Good Governance, along with leaders of youth groups and women’s organizations, criticized Natasha’s conduct, calling it “unwomanly” and an embarrassment to her constituents.

The group dismissed as “frivolous” the sexual harassment allegations Natasha made against Akpabio, which led to her outburst during Thursday’s Senate plenary. They accused the senator of disrespect and uncontrolled pride.

“It is unacceptable for a woman to insult a man, especially the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Omo-Ovie stated. “We call on Natasha’s husband, Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, the Alema of Warri, to issue a public apology to the Senate.”

Omo-Ovie further urged Natasha to apologize to Akpabio, emphasizing that the Niger Delta women would not tolerate disrespect towards the Senate President.

She dismissed Natasha’s allegations of sexual harassment as a “defeatist ploy” aimed at tarnishing Akpabio’s reputation, questioning why such claims were not made earlier.

Mrs. Faith Adaga Timisetei, President of the Niger Delta Women for Tinubu, also weighed in, advising Natasha to refrain from making statements that could damage her credibility as a senator. She warned that further investigations into the matter could lead to damaging revelations.

“Senator Akpabio has demonstrated strong leadership, and Natasha should apologize and allow the issue to rest,” Timisetei said.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has retained the country’s benchmark interest rate at 27.50% in its January meeting, maintaining the same rate set in November 2023 despite a decline in inflation.

CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso announced the decision on Thursday in Abuja after the 299th MPC meeting. He stated that the pause in rate hikes was necessary following the recent drop in inflation, which fell to 24.48% in January after the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rebase.

“The members of the MPC unanimously agreed to retain the interest rate at 27.50%,” Cardoso said.

Other monetary policy parameters were also left unchanged, with the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) at 50%, the Liquidity Ratio (LR) at 30%, and the asymmetric corridor at +500/-100 basis points around the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR).

This marks the first pause in interest rate hikes since Cardoso assumed office in September 2023, aligning with calls from economists and financial experts for a policy pause. The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise has been among the leading advocates for a halt in rate increases.

On Tuesday, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported a decline in Nigeria’s inflation rate, with headline inflation dropping to 24.48% in January from 34.80% in December, while food inflation fell to 26.08% from 39.93%.

The Senate has urged the National Judicial Council (NJC) to intervene in the alleged removal of the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, by the state assembly.

The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro and two other senators from Benue State, who argued that the circumstances and process of Ikpambese’s removal violated constitutional provisions.

Meanwhile, the Senate has passed a bill to amend the Federal Universities of Agriculture Act, aimed at facilitating the establishment of more such institutions to enhance agricultural activities and strengthen food security.

A mild drama unfolded at the commencement of plenary over the allocation of a new seat for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The situation was contained after lawmakers intervened, as she initially refused to move to the designated chair.

According to Rule 6 of the Senate Standing Rules, the President of the Senate has the authority to allocate and reassign seats within the chamber.

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced its withdrawal from the local government election scheduled for Saturday, February 22.

The decision was conveyed in a letter dated February 17, signed by the APC State Publicity Secretary, Alao Kamorudeen, and addressed to the Secretary of the State Independent Electoral Commission.

According to the letter, the party’s withdrawal follows the February 10 Court of Appeal judgment, which reinstated its previously elected chairmen and councillors.

“Recall that the judgment of the Federal High Court in suit No. FHF/OS/CS/94/2022 was meritoriously nullified on February 10 by the Court of Appeal in Akure, in appeal No. CA/AK/270/2022 between APC and three others v. People’s Democratic Party and others.

“By the judgment, the elected officers have resumed office as allowed by the Appeal Court. The implication of the Court of Appeal judgment is that the seats are no longer vacant,” the letter read.

The APC described the upcoming election as “unnecessary, superfluous, and unlawful” in light of the court ruling.

However, the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has maintained that the Court of Appeal judgment did not reinstate the sacked APC chairmen and councillors elected in 2022. The dispute led to violent clashes on Monday as both parties laid claim to local government secretariats across the state.

Police authorities confirmed that six people were killed and several others injured in the unrest.