The House of Representatives’ Committee on Foreign Affairs has criticized the Federal Government for failing to provide adequate funding for the management of Nigeria’s foreign missions.
This was disclosed by the Chairman of the Committee, Oluwole Oke, during an interview with journalists in Abuja on Friday, November 15.
According to the committee, funding the nation’s foreign missions aligns with the provisions of the law.
Oke condemned the practice of handing out financial “envelopes” to the Ministry by the Federal Government, emphasizing that the ministry, its agencies, and missions should be funded in accordance with the law.
The chairman added that plans are underway to host a stakeholders’ summit to draw public attention to the need for adequate funding of missions and consulates before the end of 2024.
Oke said, “It is important for the Federal Government to provide adequate funding for the management of our foreign missions and policies based on the provisions of the law. Giving out handouts is not the way to go.
“The idea of handing out envelopes of N19bn to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters, agencies, and over 100 missions and consulates is an abnormality. The ministry, agencies, and missions should be funded based on our laws.”
Speaking about the planned summit, he added, “A summit on the management and funding of foreign diplomacy is being worked out. The House Committee on Foreign Affairs is proposing a summit that will bring together various experts and stakeholders.”
The lawmaker, who represents Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency in Osun State, also decried the poor state of Nigerian missions in neighboring countries such as Chad, Cameroon, and Benin Republic.
“Our missions in neighboring countries such as Chad, Cameroon, Benin Republic, Togo, and Côte d’Ivoire need serious and urgent attention,” Oke concluded.