The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the poor condition of Nigerian diplomatic missions abroad, with particular focus on missions in the United States, following alarming discoveries during recent oversight visits.

The decision came after the adoption of a motion moved by Hon. Kingsley Chinda at Wednesday's plenary session, which highlighted embarrassing findings from the Nigeria-United States Parliamentary Friendship Group's recent visit to Nigerian missions in New York, Atlanta, and Washington D.C.

In his presentation, Chinda revealed a particularly concerning incident in Washington D.C., where the elevator in the mission house was only repaired after intervention from a private Nigerian citizen. He described this situation as evidence of "gross negligence and systemic dysfunction" in the management of Nigeria's foreign missions.

Urgent Intervention Required

The House urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation to "urgently intervene in the situation in the United States missions and save the mission (and other affected missions) from imminent ridicule, embarrassment and operational" challenges.

Additionally, the House mandated its Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian/USA Friendship Group to conduct a thorough investigation into the administrative, financial, and infrastructural conditions of Nigeria's missions in New York, Atlanta, and Washington D.C.

Chinda emphasized the strategic importance of these foreign missions, describing them as critical interfaces for the Nigerian government with foreign governments and international organizations. He noted that they play vital roles in advancing Nigeria's diplomatic, economic, cultural, and technical policies.

Call for Diplomatic Appointments

The lawmakers also called on the Federal Government to immediately appoint Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and High Commissioner to the United States, positions that appear to be currently vacant.

The House expressed concern that failure to take immediate and pragmatic steps to address these issues could damage Nigeria's international reputation and "plunge the country into ridicule and irrelevance among global actors."

This investigation comes at a time when Nigeria's international image and diplomatic relations are increasingly important for economic partnerships, diaspora engagement, and global positioning.