From Victor Osula, Abuja
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday raised serious concerns over the welfare of Nigerian diplomats serving overseas, revealing that delays in the payment of salaries and allowances have forced some of their children out of school.
Akpabio made the disclosure during the screening of Ambassador Sola Enikanolaye for the position of Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, describing the situation as both troubling and urgent.
“It has come to our notice that children of Nigerian diplomats serving in various countries abroad have been withdrawn from school because their parents cannot afford to pay their school fees,” Akpabio said.
He attributed the development to the non-payment of entitlements owed to the affected diplomats by the Federal Government, stressing that the situation has left many families in distress and undermined the country’s diplomatic presence abroad.
“These diplomats can’t pay their children’s school fees because their salaries and allowances are not being paid by the Nigerian government,” he added.
Although the Senate President did not specify the countries involved, he noted that the issue appears to cut across several foreign missions, raising broader concerns about the welfare framework for Nigeria’s diplomatic corps.
Describing the development as “pathetic,” Akpabio clarified that his remarks were not intended as criticism of the Federal Government but rather as a call for urgent intervention to address the hardship faced by the nation’s representatives abroad.
He subsequently challenged the ministerial nominee to outline concrete steps he would take to resolve the situation and improve the welfare of Nigerian diplomats if confirmed.
In his response, Enikanolaye presented a detailed account of his diplomatic career spanning over three decades, including key postings in Canada and other countries.
He assured lawmakers of his commitment to prioritising the welfare of foreign service officers while strengthening institutional efficiency within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Following his screening, the Senate confirmed Enikanolaye’s nomination, expressing confidence in his experience and capacity to tackle pressing challenges in the foreign service.
