Nigeria Embassy in Equatorial Guinea: $287,906.60 in Unutilised Funds, Four Unserviceable Vehicles Uncovered

Secrets Reporters

Public funds allocated to Nigeria’s diplomatic missions abroad are meant to keep its buildings functional and its official assets in service, but a review of the Nigeria Embassy in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, has found that US$287,906.60 earmarked for capital projects remained unutilised, while four of the mission’s seven government vehicles had deteriorated beyond economic repair.

The review, which covered the Embassy’s financial activities from January 2019 to December 2020, found that the unutilised funds were held in the Embassy’s UBA Kenya capital account for the renovation of the Chancery, Ambassador’s Residence and Recreational Complex.

The funds remained unused despite ₦45,360,000 in Authority to Incur Expenditure (AIE) having been released for the renovation project since 2018.

A physical inspection of the Chancery during the review further established that the building urgently required the renovation for which the funds had been provided. This action is contrary to paragraphs 112(ii) and 113 of the Financial Regulations 2009. This risks the loss of value, poor budget performance and increased maintenance costs arising from inflation.

Responding to the finding, the Embassy stated that the Ambassador had written several letters to Headquarters and was awaiting approval to commence the renovation after the required due process. “The Ambassador has written several letters to Headquarters and [is] awaiting authority after due process to commence work.”

Also, four of the Embassy’s seven vehicles were unserviceable and had not been written off. According to findings, only three vehicles, all purchased in 2010, remained functional, while the other four were in a state of disrepair and had gone beyond economic repair.

The continued retention of the unserviceable vehicles was contrary to paragraphs 2609 and 2001 of the Financial Regulations 2009, with the review identifying the risks of waste of public funds and loss of revenue.

The Embassy responded that it was awaiting authorisation from Headquarters to dispose of the vehicles. “We await authority from Headquarters to dispose of them.”

The Embassy is headed by an Ambassador, with the recommendations addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Historic mission records identify an “Ambassador S. L. Mohammed” as Head of Mission covering the Malabo Embassy and Bata Consulate at an unspecified period. However, the available records do not establish that he occupied the position during the 2019–2020 period covered by the review.