Lawmakers Query ₦470m Foreign Travel Spending Despite Presidential Ban

By Oluwakemi Kindness

Lawmakers in the House of Representatives have queried the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) Plc over ₦470 million spe9nt on foreign travel and training in 2025, despite a presidential directive restricting overseas trips by government officials.

The issue was raised on Thursday during the 2025 budget performance review of NBET by the House Committee on Finance, where members cited a directive issued by the Chief of Staff to the President banning non-essential foreign travels across government agencies.

Chairman of the Committee, James Faleke, expressed concern over the scale of the expenditure, demanding explanations for how the funds were spent and the approvals obtained to justify the trips.

According to documents submitted to the Committee, NBET spent ₦470.122 million on international travel and transport for training, out of an approved budget of ₦479.845 million.

Lawmakers also flagged other expenditures, including ₦377 million on welfare packages, ₦111.8 million on management and board retreats, and ₦71.3 million on board sitting allowances.

Responding, the Acting Managing Director of NBET, Johnson Akinowo, said all foreign trips were undertaken with the required approvals from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) or the Head of Service, in line with the presidential directive.

He explained that some of the travels were unavoidable, citing Nigeria’s participation in the World Bank Spring Meetings on power-sector guarantees, where NBET was part of the Federal Ministry of Finance delegation alongside other key agencies.

Unsatisfied, the Committee resolved to demand documentary evidence of all approvals and waivers, and consequently suspended consideration of NBET’s 2026 budget pending further review.

The Committee adjourned the hearing to Tuesday, 10 February 2026, when the Accountant-General of the Federation is expected to appear.