Nigeria’s president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced a temporary ban on all ministers, heads of agencies and parastatals, and other government officials from government sponsored trips abroad.
The president gave the directive in a letter by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. George Akume. The ban is scheduled to be in effect for three (3) months and expected to commence on Monday, April 1st, 2024.
Mr. Gbajabiamila cited the growing cost of such trips as the reason for the ban, writing “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.
“Considering the current economic challenges and the need for responsible fiscal management, I am writing to communicate Mr. President’s directive to place a temporary ban on all public funded international trips for all Federal Government officials at all levels, for an initial period of three (3) months from 1st April 2024.
He further stated that government officials who have need to go on public funded international trip must seek and get presidential approval at least two weeks before such trip is scheduled and those assignments must be deemed absolutely necessary.
“This temporary measure is aimed at cost reduction in governance and intended as a cost saving measure without compromising government functions.
“All government officials who intend to go on any public funded international trip, must seek and obtain presidential approval at least two (2) weeks prior to embarking on any such trip, which must be deemed absolutely necessary.
“Considering the above, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation is kindly requested to circulate this directive to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government”, the letter concluded.
