President Bola Tinubu has instituted a temporary ban on ministers, agency heads, and other government officials from engaging in publicly funded foreign trips, effective April 1, 2024, lasting initially for three months.
In a letter dated March 12, 2024, signed by Chief of Staff to the president, Femi Gbajabiamila, and addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, the directive emphasized the need for fiscal responsibility amidst economic challenges.
Previously, Tinubu had taken steps to streamline travel expenditure, limiting delegation sizes to 25 for domestic trips and 20 for international journeys. He also mandated reliance on local security forces for protection rather than extensive entourages from Abuja.
The decision stems from public scrutiny following the participation of 590 Nigerian officials at the twenty-eighth Conference of Parties (COP28) in the United Arab Emirates. Despite government clarification that funding was allocated for only 422 individuals, criticisms persisted.
Expressing concerns over escalating travel expenses and emphasizing the importance of officials focusing on their mandates, Tinubu’s directive aims to curtail costs without compromising governmental functions.
Under the new guidelines, government officials must secure presidential approval at least two weeks before any essential public-funded foreign trips.
The measure underscores Tinubu’s commitment to responsible fiscal management and efficient service delivery amidst economic challenges.
