In a bid to curb excessive spending and enhance focus on governmental duties, President Bola Tinubu has imposed a ban on ministers, agency heads, and other government officials from embarking on publicly funded foreign trips. The ban, effective April 1, 2024, will initially last for three months.
The directive was conveyed in a letter dated March 12, 2024, signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
Tinubu’s move follows an earlier order in January to reduce delegation sizes for both local and foreign trips, limiting the number to 25 for domestic travels and 20 for international journeys. Additionally, he mandated that destination security personnel provide protection instead of accompanying officials from Abuja, a response to criticisms stemming from the excessive 590 Nigerian officials who attended the last COP28 in the United Arab Emirates, despite government funding allocated for only 422 individuals.
The letter instituting the ban stated, “Mr. President has concerns about the rising cost of travel expenses borne by Ministries, Department and Agencies of Government as well as the growing need for cabinet members and heads of MDAs to focus on their respective mandates for effective service delivery.”
The temporary ban aims to curtail governance costs while ensuring uninterrupted government functions. Officials planning public funded foreign trips must obtain presidential approval at least two weeks before departure, with the trip deemed absolutely necessary.
Tinubu’s directive underscores a commitment to responsible fiscal management and efficient service delivery in the face of economic challenges.
