A former media aide to late ex-President Muhammadu Buhari and later the chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC) Lauretta Onochie, on Monday took a swipe at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the disconnection of electricity supply to the High Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in South Africa because of non-payment of utility bills.
Newsmata.com.ng recalls that the city of Tshwane in South Africa had disconnected electricity supply to the High Commission over unpaid utility bills, before later restoring power after the debt was settled.
The development came to light via a post on X by the Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwane, Dr Nasiphi Moya.
The disconnection of power to Nigeria’s diplomatic mission sparked reactions online, with many South Africans and Nigerians questioning how a foreign high commission could accumulate utility debts in the host country.
Moya was to issue an updated post hours later confirming that the Nigerian High Commission had settled its outstanding obligations.
Weighing in on the development, Onochie, in an open letter which she shared on her X (formerly Twitter) account, lambasted the Tinubu administration, describing the incident as a major embarrassment to the country and a reflection of deeper governance failures.
“Mr President, the news that electricity supply to the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa has been disconnected due to non-payment of bills is not just embarrassing. It is a national disgrace,” Onochie wrote.
She lamented that the matter was reportedly made public by a South African mayor on social media, saying, “That this humiliation is being announced publicly by a South African mayor on X (formerly Twitter) compounds the shame.
“Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation and supposed giant of the continent, is now being mocked on the global stage for failing to pay basic utility bills at its own diplomatic mission.”
Onochie said that the power disconnection was not an isolated incident but evidence of systemic problems in Nigeria’s foreign service.
“This incident does not stand alone. It is a direct consequence of a deeper, more dangerous failure of governance,” she said.
She further blamed the situation on the prolonged absence of ambassadors, noting, “For nearly three years, Nigeria has operated without appointed ambassadors.
“Our foreign missions are leaderless, neglected, and demoralised. Some embassy staff are owed salaries in months.”
According to her, repeated warnings about the diplomatic vacuum were ignored.
“Experienced Nigerians have repeatedly warned your government about this diplomatic vacuum. Those warnings were ignored. They fell on deaf ears,” she wrote.
Onochie stressed the symbolic importance of diplomatic missions, adding, “Diplomatic missions are not mere buildings; they are symbols of sovereignty, competence, and national pride. But your incompetence has now been exported.”
She warned that the blackout at the High Commission sends a damaging signal internationally.
“When the lights go out at a Nigerian High Commission, it signals to the world that the Nigerian state itself is flickering, uncertain, unmanaged, and indifferent,” she said.
Listing the implications of the incident, Onochie stated, “Mr President, this is shameful for several reasons: It exposes gross administrative negligence.
“An embassy that cannot pay its electricity bills reflects a system that has collapsed from the centre. It endangers Nigerians abroad.”
She added, “High Commissions exist to protect citizens, advance national interests, and command respect.
“A powerless mission commands none. It ridicules Nigeria’s foreign policy. How does a country seek leadership in Africa while failing at the most basic obligations of diplomacy?”
Onochie also accused the administration of a pattern of inaction.
“It confirms a troubling pattern under your administration: silence, denial, and inertia in the face of clear failure,” she wrote.
“This is not about politics. It is about national dignity,” she continued. “The continued refusal or inability of your inept government to post ambassadors, rubber-stamped by the equally docile and inept national assembly, properly fund missions, and respond to warnings has now produced a public scandal.”
She warned of possible future consequences, saying, “Tomorrow, it may be worse: locked offices, abandoned citizens, or diplomatic retaliation.”
Onochie said Nigerians were fed up with repeated embarrassments.
“Mr President, Nigerians are tired of excuses. They are tired of avoidable embarrassments. They are tired of watching their country reduced to an object of ridicule. They are tired of you,” she stated.
She called for immediate corrective steps, including the appointment of ambassadors and the settlement of outstanding debts.
“This issue demands immediate action, not damage control: Post-qualified ambassadors without further delay.
“Audit and settle all outstanding obligations of Nigerian missions abroad. Restore professionalism and accountability to Nigeria’s foreign service.”
“History will not judge kindly a government that allowed Nigeria’s flag to fly in darkness, literally and figuratively, across the world,” she added. “Nigeria deserves better.”