UK calls out Nigerian government over unpaid £8.4 million embassy ground rent since 2003

Transport for London (TfL) has urged the Nigerian government to settle its long-standing embassy congestion charge debt, amounting to £8.4 million, as it has been outstanding for nearly two decades and is among a group of persistent minority debtors.

Nigeria is listed as the fourth country among the 48 foreign debtors of the UK who have not paid their embassy rent since 2003, with a total debt of £8,395,055. The American embassy tops the list with a debt of nearly £15 million, followed by Japan with 10 million and the High Commission for India with £8.5 million.

While most embassies in London do pay their charges, there is a persistent minority that refuses to do so despite diplomatic efforts by the UK government. Transport for London (TfL) clarified that the embassy congestion charge is considered a service fee rather than a tax, making it obligatory for diplomats to pay.

TfL clarified that the congestion charge is a fee for a service, not a tax, emphasizing that even diplomats are not exempt from paying it.

The UK government is determined to take the issue to the International Court of Justice to ensure that countries who fail to pay face penalties. TfL affirmed their commitment to pursuing unpaid congestion charge fees and penalty notices, advocating for the matter to be addressed at the International Court of Justice.

This situation echoed Nigerian FCT minister Nyesom Wike’s plea in February, urging foreign embassies including the British High Commission to settle their ground rent debts or risk license revocation. Mr. Wike specifically mentioned that the British High Commission owed $1,000 to the Nigerian government.