Popular TV personality and journalist, Oseni Rufai, has revealed the monthly salaries of Nigerian ambassadors following the announcement of 32 new ambassadorial nominees forwarded to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The latest list of nominees includes notable figures such as former INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu, Reno Omokri, and former Enugu Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Rufai explained that the salary of a Nigerian ambassador, as a senior Foreign Service Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is governed by the Consolidated Diplomatic, Consular and Foreign Service Cadre Salary Structure (CONPSS) in the Nigerian public service. Ambassadors typically occupy the highest grade levels (GL 17 or equivalent) and receive additional allowances for overseas postings.
“The basic salary of an ambassador includes a monthly pay of approximately N800,000 to N1,200,000 ($485–$727 USD). Entry-level foreign service officers earn between N300,000–N500,000 monthly, but ambassadors, being at the pinnacle of their careers, command the upper end,” Rufai said.
He added that the annual basic salary ranges between N9.6 million to N14.4 million ($5,818–$8,727 USD), aligning with public sector pay for Grade Level 17 officers and adjusted for the 2025 minimum wage of N70,000.
However, Rufai emphasized that the basic pay does not reflect the total compensation. Nigerian ambassadors posted abroad receive significant allowances to cover living costs, hardship, and representational duties. As a result, their total monthly take-home pay often exceeds N2–5 million ($1,212–$3,030 USD) depending on the host country.
These allowances are designed to offset high costs of living in foreign countries and ensure diplomats can perform their official duties comfortably while representing Nigeria abroad.
