An analysis of Govspend records shows Nigeria’s MDAs spent over ₦22.6 billion on estacodes, air tickets and travel logistics between July 2023 and March 2026, with concerns raised over duplicate payments and possible abuse.
An analysis of federal payment records from Govspend has revealed that Nigeria’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies spent more than ₦22.6 billion on estacodes, air tickets and travel logistics between July 2023 and March 2026, raising concerns over government spending amid economic hardship. The data showed a sharp rise in expenditure in 2024, when MDAs accounted for ₦15.67 billion in travel-related costs, representing more than two-thirds of the total amount spent during the period under review.
The analysis identified the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Sports Development among the highest-spending agencies, highlighting the scale of travel-related expenditures across government institutions. Beyond the spending figures, the review also uncovered alleged cases of duplicate payments and irregular transactions, prompting concerns about possible systemic abuse and weak oversight within the travel budget framework.
The findings have renewed scrutiny of public spending priorities at a time of economic strain and rising calls for fiscal discipline. The report also raises questions over transparency and accountability in the management of government travel funds, with the identified irregularities likely to intensify demands for further investigation into the payments and broader reforms in public expenditure controls.
READ THE FULL STORY IN DAILY TRUST