Kaduna spends N3.2bn on estacode for international trips in nine months
By Aminu Abubakar
A SolaceBase review of the Kaduna State budget performance document for the third quarter of 2025 has revealed that a total of N3.2 billion was spent on estacode for international trips between January and September 2025.
Estacode refers to the travel allowance paid to public officials for trips outside their duty station, particularly in Nigeria and former British colonies. It is a daily stipend covering expenses for international or long-distance domestic travel.
Estacode Spending Surpasses Key Development Sectors
While the state spent N3.2 billion on estacode for international trips, it allocated N2.4 billion to the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital in Kaduna. The Kaduna State College of Nursing and Midwifery also spent N333.1 million, which is significantly less than the N3.2 billion used for estacodes on international trips.
The state also expended N3.2 billion on capital projects for its Primary Healthcare Board — the same amount it spent on estacodes for international trips.
Only N3 billion was spent on the construction and provision of health centres, while just N477 million went toward the construction and provision of water facilities — all between January and September 2025. These figures remain lower than the N3.2 billion spent on estacodes for international trips by the Kaduna State Government.
Earlier, a review of the Kaduna State-approved 2025 budget showed that the government allocated N3.8 billion for the purchase of vehicles for lawmakers.
This allocation comes despite the fact that in 2024, the state had already spent N1.5 billion for the same purpose. If the entire N3.8 billion is expended in 2025, total spending on lawmakers’ vehicles over two years will reach N5.3 billion.
Breakdown of Vehicle Procurement Costs
According to the budget document, the Kaduna State Government plans to purchase 30 Toyota Camry XLEs for lawmakers. Between January and October 2024, N1.59 billion had already been spent on these vehicles, indicating that a significant portion of resources is being directed toward legislative mobility.
This budgetary decision has raised concerns about the government’s spending priorities, especially when compared to allocations for essential public services such as water provision and infrastructure.
Despite the significant funds earmarked for lawmakers’ vehicles, the Kaduna State Government allocated a smaller amount for critical water infrastructure projects in 2025.
A total of N2.9 billion was earmarked for the construction and provision of water facilities — N900 million less than the amount budgeted for vehicle procurement. Additionally, only N602.8 million was set aside for the rehabilitation of existing water infrastructure.
Not just in 2025.
A SolaceBase review of the 2024 budget performance showed that the state spent poorly on internal security — despite numerous incidents of insecurity and killings recorded due to bandit attacks.
According to the document, N15.4 billion was budgeted for capital expenditure under Kaduna State’s Ministry of Internal Security in 2024. However, only N27.8 million was spent between January and October of that year.
In 2023, the state government budgeted N4.1 billion for the ministry’s capital expenditure but spent only N2.7 billion throughout the year.
On September 17, 2024, bandits attacked a church in Kaduna, killing three and abducting many others. Seven days earlier, bandits struck again, attacking a hospital and abducting nurses, doctors, patients, and others.
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On November 23, 2024, it was reported that bandits abducted a Kaduna village head and fourteen others.
Another twenty-two persons were abducted by bandits on September 6, 2024, in a Kaduna village.
In March 2024, bandits abducted over eighty persons in Kaduna, while in May, attackers killed six persons.
It had earlier been reported that 289,375 people were displaced by bandits across 551 communities in 12 local government areas of Kaduna State.
This development was disclosed by the Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA), Dr. Usman Mazadu, during the flag-off of palliative distribution at Maraban Kajuru, Kajuru LGA.
“In Chikun, we have 134 affected communities and 26,345 displaced individuals.”
“In Birnin Gwari, 84 communities are affected with 70,893 displaced people and in numerous other communities across 12 other local governments,” the statement read.
These allocations have sparked public concern, particularly given Kaduna State’s ongoing water crisis.
Residents of Kaduna have long decried the absence of clean drinking water. In many parts of the state — especially rural areas — access to potable water remains a major challenge.
A 2023 report revealed that many rural communities still struggle with inadequate water supply. A Daily Trust investigation noted that for residents of Ungwan Mangoro, Kosoh, and Madamai communities in Jema’a, Kagarko, and Kaura LGAs, the rainy season — which starts in April — is often their only reliable source of clean water. These communities face prolonged water scarcity, making them vulnerable to waterborne diseases and poor hygiene conditions.
According to the Multidimensional Poverty Index published by the National Bureau of Statistics, 64% of households in Kaduna lack access to clean drinking water.
The lack of clean drinking water has had serious public health consequences. Contaminated water sources have contributed to the spread of waterborne diseases, including cholera, which has historically been a major health challenge in Kaduna State.
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