President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, announced that a three-month ban on public funded foreign trips has been placed on ministers, head of agencies, and other government officials.
Tinubu, who made this directive known through a statement signed by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, stated that the ban will take effect starting from Apri 1, 2024.
According to the Presodent, this move is aimed at reducing the costs of governance.
In the statement, Gbajabiamila conveyed: “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 Presideni’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 months from Ist April 2024.
“This temporary measure is aimed at cost reduction in governance and intended as a cost-saving measure without compromising government functions.”
He, however, informed government officials who must embark on any public funded foreign trip to seek the president’s approval at least two weeks before.
He added that if such trip is deemed necessary, then he might grant the person.
The statement continued: “All government officials who intend to go on any public funded international trips must seek and obtain Presidential approval at least two weeks prior to embarking on any such trip, which must be deemed absolutely necessary.”
Recall in January 2024, Tinubu announced the reduction of his accompanying party on both foreign and local trips.
He directed that his accompanying party on foreign trip be reduced to 20, while local to just 25.
Many Nigerians have called on President Tinubu to impose a ban on himself and other goverenr officials from embarking on a foreign trips due to the country’s current economic situation.
GistReporterw.com learned that the decision to place ban on foreign trips on government officials became necessary following Nigerians’ outcry after the FG attended the COP28 with over 500 people, while paying for 422 of them. Although !h many Nigerians are clamouring for a total ban, this could be a step in the right direction.