A broadcast journalist, Oseni Rufai, has disclosed details of the monthly earnings of Nigerian ambassadors, offering fresh insight into the remuneration structure of the country’s diplomatic representatives.
His revelation followed the transmission of another batch of ambassadorial nominees to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu on Saturday.
AFRIPOST reports that the President had earlier submitted three names and has now forwarded an additional 32 nominees to the Senate for screening.
Among those listed are a former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu; ex-presidential aide, Reno Omokri; and former Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Rufai noted that the pay structure for ambassadors falls under the Consolidated Diplomatic, Consular and Foreign Service Cadre Salary Structure (CONPSS), which applies to senior officers in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He explained that envoys are placed on the highest grade levels, typically Grade Level 17, and benefit from numerous allowances tied to foreign postings.
He stated that while the basic salary appears modest when compared with global standards, it is significantly augmented by multiple allowances covering cost of living, hardship, and representational duties.
According to him, the “Basic salary of an ambassador includes a monthly basic pay of approximately N800,000 to N1,200,000 (about $485–$727 USD).”
Rufai added that ambassadors sit at the top of the career ladder in the Foreign Service, unlike entry-level officers whose monthly earnings range between N300,000 and N500,000.
“Annual Basic Salary: N9.6 million to N14.4 million (about $5,818–$8,727 USD).
“These figures align with general public sector pay for Grade Level 17 officers, adjusted for inflation and the 2025 minimum wage increase to N70,000.
“However, basic pay alone does not reflect total compensation, as diplomats receive significant extras to cover living costs abroad.”
He further explained that allowances often push an ambassador’s total monthly earnings beyond the basic pay.
“Total monthly take-home pay often exceeds N2–5 million ($1,212–$3,030 USD), depending on the host country…”