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By Godswill Michael
A review of federal payment records has shown that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) spent a total of N324,881,291.50 on estacodes and related overseas travel allowances in two months.
The payments, made between late February and early March 2026, covered estacode allowances, air tickets, and in some cases additional travel-related expenses for government officials attending international engagements.
Analysis of the data obtained from Govspend, a civic accountability platform on Thursday, indicates that at least 17 MDAs were involved in the expenditure, with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) accounting for the highest spending.
The SGF Headquarters spent N71.77 million, the highest among all agencies, on multiple beneficiaries for official foreign trips within the period.
The Civil Defence, Immigration and Prisons Service Board (CIPB) followed with N40.23 million, covering estacodes and travel logistics for its officials.
The Defence Research and Development Bureau spent N29.11 million, including a payment of N20.49 million made on February 24, 2026, for estacode, air tickets, and winter clothing for an official assignment.
The Office of the Chief of Staff to the President recorded N27.94 million in estacode-related payments.
The Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation paid N25.56 million to Apoti, Mr. Abdulrahim Salawu on February 24, 2026, as estacode allowance.
The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) disbursed N21.84 million to Silas Ali Agara on February 25, 2026, for estacode and airfare to attend an international event.
The Legal Aid Council spent N20.73 million, including a payment of N7.85 million to Chiroma, Ibrahim Ahmed on February 26, 2026.
The Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy (Headquarters) recorded N18.13 million in estacode expenses.
The Nigeria Office for Trade Negotiation (NOTN), Abuja disbursed N11.13 million for foreign travel-related allowances.
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (Headquarters) spent N10.99 million on similar expenses.
The Tafawa Balewa Square Management Board recorded N10 million in estacode payments.
The Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) spent N8.89 million, while the National Human Rights Commission accounted for N7 million.
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) disbursed N5.75 million.
The Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority recorded N5.35 million in estacode payments.
The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) paid N5.31 million to Faruq Hauwa Abubakar on February 27, 2026, to attend a Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting.
The Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission and its Centres spent N5.15 million within the period under review.
The descriptions attached to the payments show that most were tied to international conferences, official meetings, and study visits, with several entries explicitly combining estacode allowances with airfare and other travel logistics.