Fresh information has surfaced listing those invited to clarify ambassadorial earnings, including former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, ex-presidential aide Reno Omokri, and former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, among others.
Speaking on the matter, journalist Rufai Oseni explained that the remuneration of a Nigerian ambassador—classified as a senior Foreign Service Officer—is determined by the Consolidated Diplomatic, Consular and Foreign Service Salary Structure (CONPSS), used across the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ambassadors occupy the highest levels of the service (Grade Level 17 or its equivalent) and receive additional benefits when posted abroad.
According to available government data, public service pay scales, and reports on foreign service expenses, Rufai noted that while the basic salary appears modest when compared internationally, it is supported by generous allowances.
He added that figures differ across countries and are influenced by factors such as location, experience, and exchange rates, with $1 currently trading at about ₦1,650 (as of November 2025).
Rufai stated that ambassadors typically earn a monthly basic salary ranging from ₦800,000 to ₦1.2 million ($485–$727), based on the upper end of the CONPSS structure. Entry-level foreign service officers earn far less—between ₦300,000 and ₦500,000 monthly—but ambassadors, being at the top of the career hierarchy, receive the highest band.
Their annual basic salary, he added, is estimated at ₦9.6 million to ₦14.4 million ($5,818–$8,727), consistent with Grade Level 17 pay after adjustments for inflation and the 2025 minimum wage rise to ₦70,000.
However, Rufai stressed that the basic salary alone paints an incomplete picture, as ambassadors get multiple allowances to manage overseas living costs, represent the country, and handle diplomatic duties.
In total, he said, Nigerian ambassadors posted abroad often take home between ₦2 million and ₦5 million monthly ($1,212–$3,030), depending on the country where they serve.