Nigerian Diplomats' Lavish Allowances Exposed: Ex-Ambassador Reveals N150Million Monthly, N216Million Ad-hoc Payments In U.S. Court Affidavit

Former Nigerian Ambassador Lilian Onoh has disclosed details of the income and allowances received by the African nation’s envoys to other countries.

In a sworn affidavit filed in a U.S. federal court, in a case against Sahara Reporters Media Group, Inc., Sahara Reporters, Inc., and Omoyele Sowore (Civil Action No. 3:23-cv-02838-B), she revealed the extravagant allowances paid to Nigerian ambassadors.

Onoh, who previously served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Namibia and held various diplomatic posts including as Head of Mission to Jamaica, broke down the earnings of an ambassador, using the U.S. post as an example.

She said the basic Foreign Service Allowance (FSA) for a Nigerian Ambassador in the US is $8,502 monthly, along with a Domestic Servants’ Allowance of $11,200 for four staff members, each at $2,800 monthly.

Onoh explained that additional monthly provisions include a Security Allowance of $9,000 for three guards, with each guard earning $3,000. She also said such an ambassador would receive $500 in Unaccountable Entertainment Allowance and $5,000 for household supplies and general entertainment.

For travel, Onoh detailed an allowance structure that include seven days' travel coverage at a rate of $900 per day plus a 30% transportation addition, totaling $8,190 monthly.

Onoh, who is currently seeking Permanent Legal Residency (Green Card) in the United States, made the disclosures as part of her ongoing case against SaharaReporters.

She said, “The monthly income, allowances and provisions for a Nigerian Ambassador in the USA are: Basic Foreign Service (FSA) $8,502.00 monthly; Domestic Servants’ Allowance @$2,800 per person x 4 staff =$11,200 per month; Security Allowance for three guards @ $3,000 per person = $9,000 monthly;

“Unaccountable Entertainment Allowance: $500 monthly; Household supplies and entertainment: $5,000 monthly; 7 days’ travel allowance, including 30% for ground transportation $900x7=$6,300+30%=$8,190 monthly; Personal Telephone Allowance for cell phones, including international calls= $3,000 monthly;

“Utilities (including internet, cable and other entertainment) $3,000 monthly (estimate – there is no limit); Comprehensive Medical Insurance for self, household and all domestic staff $6,000 per month (estimate);

“Ground maintenance allowance: $3,000 monthly; Accommodation with staff quarters: $15,000-$20,000 per month (estimate); Lease of two Mercedes 300 S-class + Comprehensive Insurance $5,000 monthly (estimate); Salary of two drivers @ $4,000 per month = $8,000 monthly. Thus the total monthly income, allowances and cost to maintain a Nigerian Ambassador in the USA is $90,392 (N155 million at the current rate N1,710/$1) per month.”

She continued, “In addition, the following ad hoc allowances would be given: +US$9,000 clothing allowance ($3,000 every three years); +US$25,200 28 days’ hotel and other allowances on arrival at US$900 per day; +US4,000 (approximately) being Resettlement Allowance; US$87,939.05 (i.e. US$17,587.81 X 5) Return Business Class air tickets during leave granted every two years for travel to Nigeria or any country of my choice (United Kingdom) i.e. five tickets over 10 years, including arrival and departure tickets. Total ad hoc allowances: US$126,139.05 (approximately N216 million at the current rate of N1,710/$1)”

“Grand total: $11,145,179.05, i.e. ($126,139.05 air tickets for 10 years) +$90,392.00 per month x 120 months (10 years) + $172,000 lost investment in Enugu,” she added, claiming damages for a SaharaReporters’ report exposing corruption.

In a 102-page affidavit filed with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Ambassador Lilian Onoh alleged that a SaharaReporters’ report titled "Nigerian Civil Service Commission Sacks Former High Commissioner to Namibia, Lilian Onoh, Over N50 Million Misappropriation, Recommends Trial by ICPC," made her lose diplomatic jobs hence the reason to be awarded damages.

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Onoh stated that she had intended to retire in Nigeria but revised her plan due to the article and the danger it could pose to her safety should she return.

She explained that, for this reason, she now intends to remain permanently in Texas.

Onoh claimed that her application for adjustment of status was accepted, and she was issued an Employment Authorization Document, allowing her to remain in the United States until 2028.

She said she recently completed the final stage of submitting medical records to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and was awaiting the issuance of her Green Card.

In her court filing, the former ambassador revealed that she has started hiding her identity and using a pseudonym when meeting new people to prevent them from searching her name and finding the article. Even at her church, she has refrained from joining the choir due to fear of any background check.

"Onoh had expected to retire in Nigeria and had put a retirement plan in motion, along with significant investments in that plan. She has lost a considerable portion of those invested funds, as the business for which they were intended can only be conducted in Enugu, her home state in Nigeria,” she said.

She, however, requested compensatory damages of $10,847,040 for lost income, $172,000 for lost investment in her retirement business, and $126,139.05 in ad hoc allowances over 10 years.

Additionally, she requested a total of $11,145,170.05, plus $10 million for mental anguish and pain and suffering, $10 million (or an amount the court deems sufficient) in punitive damages to punish the defendants and deter future misconduct, and court costs to be borne by the defendants, jointly and severally.

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