The House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs has summoned the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, along with the Heads of Missions, to conduct a thorough review of the expenditure of allocated funds by Nigeria’s foreign missions for the year 2025.
In a letter dated July 24, 2025, and signed by Committee Chairman Oluwole Oke, the committee, acting under the authority of Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), requested comprehensive documentation detailing how the appropriated funds have been utilized by the various diplomatic agencies.
This inquiry follows the committee’s investigation into allegations concerning a contract controversy, specifically the purported misappropriation of $2 million intended for refurbishing Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.
The invitation letter to Ambassador Tuggar and the Heads of Missions stated, “The Missions are required to submit the following: the approved budgets for 2024 and 2025; performance reports on budget implementation for these years; records of special intervention funds disbursed and their usage from 2018 to 2025; and the nominal rolls of both expatriate and local staff.”
Furthermore, the letter requested that the Minister ensure all Heads of Missions are fully briefed on this directive.
In a separate correspondence dated July 3, 2025, signed by the Director of Funds on behalf of the Accountant General of the Federation, it was disclosed that the administration of President Bola Tinubu allocated a total of $54 million to support the operations of Nigeria’s 103 Embassies and High Commissions worldwide.
Of this amount, $46.14 million was designated for overhead expenses, $9.58 million for personnel costs, and an additional $282,829 for other overhead allocations.
Addressing reporters in Abuja on Wednesday, Chairman Oke praised President Tinubu’s proactive measures, while urging Ambassador Tuggar and the Heads of Missions to provide the committee with detailed accounts of how these funds have been disbursed and managed.
“We appreciate the President’s commitment to revitalizing our diplomatic missions. His 2025 intervention is crucial for enhancing Nigeria’s global image,” Oke remarked.
He added, “It is imperative that the missions transparently report to Nigerians, through their parliamentary representatives, on the utilization of these intervention funds. Transparency and accountability remain fundamental pillars of effective governance.”
Oke emphasized that the committee’s efforts are not intended as a witch-hunt but are focused on ensuring that governance delivers tangible benefits to Nigeria and its citizens.
