The UK has called out the Federal Government of Nigeria for failing to pay £8.4 million embassy ground rent since 2003, ranking Nigeria 4th among foreign debtors owing London congestion charges.
In a move that has reignited diplomatic tensions, the UK government criticised the Nigerian authorities for failing to pay £8.4 million in ground rent for the British embassy premises in Abuja, a debt that has remained outstanding since 2003.
According to Transport for London (TfL), Nigeria ranks fourth among 48 foreign nations listed as “stubborn minority” debtors who have shirked embassy rent and congestion charges in the UK capital for nearly two decades.
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Topping the list of debtors is the American embassy, owing a staggering £14.9 million, followed by Japan (£10 million) and the High Commission for India (£8.5 million).
“The majority of embassies in London do pay the charge, but there remains a stubborn minority who refuse to do so, despite our representations through diplomatic channels,” the UK government stated, expressing frustration over the unpaid dues.
TfL, the authority responsible for managing London’s transportation system, clarified that the embassy congestion charge is a payment for service, not a tax, and therefore applies to diplomatic missions as well. “The congestion charge is a charge for a service and not a tax,” TfL stated, adding that “diplomats are not exempted from paying it.”
The UK government has escalated the matter, pushing for it to be taken up at the International Court of Justice to ensure that offending nations face penalties if they continue to refuse payment. “We will continue to pursue all unpaid Congestion Charge fees and related penalty charge notices and are pushing for the matter to be taken up at the International Court of Justice,” TfL warned.
The callout echoes a recent appeal by Nigerian FCT minister Nyesom Wike, who in February urged the British High Commission and other foreign embassies to settle their ground rent arrears or risk having their licenses revoked. According to Wike, the British High Commission owed the Nigerian government $1,000.
The long-standing debt has strained diplomatic relations between the two countries, with the UK accusing Nigeria of being part of a “stubborn minority” that refuses to pay its dues, while Nigeria claims the UK owes it money as well.
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