February 19, 2026 — SUNTV Global Channel | Investigations Desk
A major corruption scandal is unfolding inside Nigeria’s foreign service system, as senior officials at the Nigeria Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) face explosive allegations of financial diversion, abuse of office, and illegal tenure extension.
The controversy has placed the agency’s Director-General, Yusuf Buba Yakub, and a top associate, Zakari Usman, under intense scrutiny.
Multiple insiders told SUNTV that Mr. Usman — a close associate and former classmate of the NTAC DG — allegedly exploited his position as Head of Programmes to gain access to operational funds.
Sources claim:
- The pair allegedly converted official foreign trip advances into personal benefits.
- Each trip reportedly came with advances of at least $10,000.
- The duo allegedly traveled abroad up to three times monthly.
- Over time, insiders estimate Mr. Usman alone may have collected as much as $480,000.
One senior official described the system as:
“A private ATM arrangement disguised as official travel.”
Agency accountants reportedly raised repeated warnings about the unusually frequent advances, but those concerns were allegedly ignored.
The scandal intensified after Mr. Usman turned 60 years old on February 14, 2026, Nigeria’s mandatory civil service retirement age.
Despite this:
- Staff openly celebrated his birthday at the office.
- He reportedly remained in active service.
- A one-year tenure extension was allegedly granted shortly before his retirement date.
Insiders say the extension was approved to keep him in position and sustain the alleged financial arrangement.
This development comes just weeks after strict enforcement of civil service retirement rules led to the exit of dozens of senior officials in the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Documents obtained by SUNTV show correspondence from the National Intelligence Agency acknowledging that Mr. Usman had officially retired but approving a one-year extension of his duty tour.
The letter indicated he would remain the agency’s representative during the extended period.
The revelations have triggered strong demands for immediate investigation by Nigeria’s anti-corruption bodies, including:
- Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
- Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC)
Public service advocates say the alleged extension violates federal rules and undermines ongoing civil service reforms.
One senior official told SUNTV:
“No one should be above the Public Service Rules. This case must be thoroughly investigated.”
When contacted, NTAC’s Deputy Director of Administration, Ambassador Dahiru Muhammad, promised to respond but had not issued any official statement as of press time.
The scandal strikes at the heart of Nigeria’s South-South cooperation programme, which deploys skilled professionals to African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries to support development and strengthen diplomatic ties.
Observers warn that the allegations could damage Nigeria’s international reputation if not urgently addressed.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor this developing story.
