The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has explained that the recent electricity disconnection at Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa, was due to delays in the passage of Nigeria’s 2026 national budget.
The City of Tshwane cut power to the mission on Monday. Executive Mayor Nasiphi Moya confirmed the action on X, stating: “#TshwaneYaTima: We’ve disconnected electricity at the High Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They owe the city for utility services,” alongside a photograph of the embassy building.
Responding to the blackout, MFA spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa said that the unpaid bills were a direct result of funding constraints caused by the delayed budget.
“If they say Nigeria has not paid in January, that means there is no money for Nigeria to pay in January because the budget has not been passed,” Ebienfa explained. He added that the mission in Pretoria has not received funds since the 2026 budget is not yet in place.
The MFA confirmed it is engaging both the mission and South African authorities to resolve the matter promptly. “We are in touch with our mission in Pretoria and we are trying our best to make sure the outstanding bills are paid and the electricity is restored with immediate effect to ensure the smooth running of the mission,” Ebienfa said.
He further described the issue as systemic, noting that delays in budget approval often lead to temporary funding shortages at foreign missions.
The incident has also highlighted the absence of substantive ambassadors at several Nigerian missions. Ebienfa stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has so far approved ambassadorial appointments to only three countries — the UK, France, and the US — with South Africa yet to receive an ambassador. Since Tinubu assumed office, many Nigerian embassies and high commissions have operated without ambassadors, creating operational and administrative challenges, including funding and staffing constraints.
Despite these challenges, the MFA assured that efforts are ongoing to clear the Pretoria mission’s arrears and restore electricity as soon as possible.
