Africa
Nigeria denies shutting 80 diplomatic missions
The Nigerian foreign ministry has denied reports that 80 of its diplomatic missions around the world are facing closure over electricity and water bills
The Nigerian foreign ministry has denied reports that 80 of its diplomatic missions around the world are facing closure.
A spokesperson told the BBC that reports of budgetary shortages were inaccurate.
Earlier, Nigerian senators strongly criticised what they said was a lack of funding for the country’s diplomatic missions.
Members of the foreign affairs committee complained that most of Nigeria’s embassies were in a sorry state, with many unable to pay electricity or water bills.
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They said they’d received complaints from embassy staff who said they were unable to pay school fees for their children.
Similarly, the United Arab Emirates embassy in Nigeria has denied reports that Nigerians will be denied visa to the oil-rich country.
“In light of the press reports published today alleging that the UAE has suspended issuing tourist visas to Nigerian nationals, the UAE Embassy in Abuja announces that these news are inaccurate and stresses the importance of sourcing news from its official channel,” a statement on its Twitter account said.
