President Bola Tinubu has banned Ministers ,heads of agencies, and other government officials from going on foreign trips on public funds for now, in order to cut the cost of governance.
The ban on foreign trips which will take effect on 1st April 2024, however will last for three months
The president gave the directive through a letter dated 12th March 2024, by his Chief of Staff ,Femi Gbajabiamila, and addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
The letter read:“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 months from 1st April 2024.”
The letter further stated that government officials who intend to embark on any public-funded international trip must seek and get presidential approval at least two weeks before proceeding on the trip.
According to the president, such trips must be ‘deemed absolutely necessary.’
“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,” .
