Niger North Senator and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Distinguished Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, on Thursday chaired his second joint budget session of the Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs. The session was co-chaired by Hon. Oluwole Oke, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, reflecting a collaborative approach to addressing the financial needs of Nigeria’s diplomatic missions.
During the session, the committee welcomed the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, who led the heads of various agencies under the ministry to present their budget proposals. These agencies included the Directorate of Technical Aide Corps (TAC), Foreign Service Academy, Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Nigerian Institute for International Affairs (NIIA), Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA), and Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM).
Ambassador Ojukwu provided a comprehensive overview of the ministry’s core mandates: the formulation, articulation, conduct, and execution of Nigeria’s foreign policy. She highlighted the ministry’s extensive responsibilities, which span 109 diplomatic and consular missions worldwide. The minister emphasized the challenges the ministry faces due to financial shortfalls exacerbated by foreign exchange differentials and new monetary policies.
Despite commendable releases of funds in 2024, Ambassador Ojukwu pointed out significant shortfalls, particularly in the second half of 2023. These shortfalls led to critical issues such as power outages, internet disconnections, and eviction notices for diplomats due to unpaid rents. The ministry’s inability to meet its financial obligations has resulted in negative publicity and legal actions from local staff and service providers.
In response, the joint committee members unanimously agreed on the need for increased funding for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, moved for the adjournment of the budget defense. He called for the summoning of key stakeholders, including the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Budget and National Planning, Finance, and the Director-General of the Budget Office, to address the budget shortfalls comprehensively.
Senator Dickson emphasized the constitutional responsibility of the National Assembly to appropriate funds and highlighted the national interest at stake. He advocated for a detailed examination of the budgetary estimates to ensure they align with the nation’s priorities and strategic foreign policy goals.
The motion for adjournment was seconded by Hon. Salisu Yusuf Majigiri, and the session concluded with a voice vote in favor of the motion. Senator Sani Bello set the next meeting for January 21, 2025.
Throughout the session, Senator Sani Bello demonstrated his expertise and experience in budget defense, steering the discussions with vigor and a deep understanding of the complexities involved. His leadership ensured a thorough examination of the budget proposals, reflecting his commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s foreign policy apparatus and addressing the pressing financial needs of its diplomatic missions.
