By Amidst the ongoing Conference of the Parties (COP28) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the controversy surrounding Nigeria’s extensive delegation has sparked curiosity.
Statisense, an AI data company, relying on information from the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), disclosed the specific amounts Nigerian officials often receive as estacode when traveling abroad on official duty.
According to a report obtained by BlackBox Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu had led a delegation of approximately 600 people out of the 1,411 registered delegates to the conference.
This positioned Nigeria as the third country with the highest number of registered delegates, following the host UAE with 4,409 and Brazil with 3,081.
Statisense revealed that amongst the 600 are 19 Senators, 26 Ministers, 13 Governors, 3 First Ladies (State), 8 House of Rep Members, 45 Chief Executive Officers, and 146 State House (Inc VP Office).
As a signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Nigeria, alongside 198 other countries, is under scrutiny due to questions on social media about the number of delegates sent in light of government-preached austerity measures.
Statisense, through its X handle, revealed that a Minister, Minister of State, Director General of MDA (Ministry, Department, or Agency), and a House of Representatives Member receive $900 each per night, while a Senator receives $950.
Further breakdowns, attributed to the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), are as follows:
1. Minister: $900
2. Minister of State: $900
3. Special Adviser: $800
4. Director General of MDA: $900
5. Chief Justice of Nigeria: $2,000
6. Justice of Supreme Court: $1,300
7. Appeal Court President: $1,300
8. Judges of Courts: $1,100 / $600
9. Senate President: $1,300
10. Deputy Senate President: $1,100
11. Senator: $950
12. House of Rep Speaker: $1,200
13. Deputy Speaker: $1,000
14. House Member: $900
15. Commissioners: $600
16. Special Adviser (State): $500
17. DG/Perm Sec (State): $500
18. House Assembly Speaker: $700
19. Dep House Speaker: $650
20. House Member (State): $600
21. LGA Chairman/Vice: $450
22. Supervisory Councilor: $400
23. LGA Special Adviser: $400
24. LGA Legislative leader: $225
25. Dep LGA Leg. Leader: $220
26. Councilor of LGA: $210
This revelation has ignited discussions on the appropriateness of the expenses, given the current global emphasis on frugality and environmental concerns.
