FG Budgets ₦41bn to Upgrade 109 Foreign Missions
FG Budgets ₦41bn to Upgrade 109 Foreign Missions
The Federal Government of Nigeria has proposed an allocation of N41 billion in the 2026 budget specifically aimed at the extensive upgrade of 109 foreign missions.
This initiative is designed to address the deteriorating state of Nigeria’s diplomatic assets abroad, covering the renovation, furnishing, and equipping of various properties.
The proposal includes the rehabilitation of chanceries, ambassadors’ residences, and staff quarters, alongside the procurement of essential office furniture and official vehicles to ensure that Nigerian diplomats can operate effectively in their host countries.
A detailed breakdown of the proposed spending reveals significant investments across various global missions, with the Banjul (Gambia) and Algiers (Algeria) missions receiving the highest individual allocations at N568 million and N513 million, respectively. Other substantial sums include N436 million for Kingston (Jamaica), N405 million for Lusaka (Zambia), and N391 million each for Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago) and New York (USA). Missions in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) and Nairobi (Kenya) are both set to receive N389 million, while Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) is earmarked for N388 million.
The budget also extends to several other key international locations to ensure a uniform standard of diplomatic representation. Freetown (Sierra Leone) and Johannesburg (South Africa) are allocated N387 million each, followed by Athens (Greece) at N386 million and Kuwait City (Kuwait) at N385 million. Further allocations include N384 million for Lome (Togo), N383 million for Malabo (Equatorial Guinea), N382 million for Bamako (Mali), and N380 million for Cotonou (Benin Republic). Major global hubs such as London (UK), Beijing (China), and Cairo (Egypt) are allocated N379 million, N376 million, and N374 million, respectively.
This budgetary move comes at a critical time for Nigeria’s foreign policy, which has been undergoing a major reassessment since President Bola Tinubu took office in May 2023. In September 2023, the President recalled 83 ambassadors, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has since cited a lack of adequate funding for embassy operations as the reason for the delay in filling these vacancies. To resolve this, the President recently forwarded 64 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate, intending to reposition Nigeria on the global stage and fill long-vacant posts that have hindered international influence.
Ultimately, the N41 billion investment is seen as a foundational step toward strengthening Nigeria’s bilateral relations and enhancing its global diplomatic engagement. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, confirmed that the newly appointed ambassadors are expected to assume their duties in 2026. By aligning the arrival of new leadership with the physical upgrade of the missions, the government aims to project a more professional and revitalized image of Nigeria to the international community, ensuring that the country’s diplomats have the resources necessary to represent the nation’s interests with dignity.
