President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has implemented a three-month ban on public funded foreign trips for ministers, heads of agencies, and other government officials.
Effective from April 1, 2024, this ban was announced 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.
Earlier in January, Tinubu had instructed a reduction in the number of individuals accompanying him on local and foreign trips. He stated that for local travels, his delegation should not exceed 25 members, while for international trips, it should be limited to 20.
Furthermore, Tinubu mandated that his protection at the travel destination should be provided by local security agents instead of a large contingent from Abuja.
This decision followed criticisms faced during and after the twenty-eighth Conference of Parties (COP28) in the United Arab Emirates, where approximately 590 Nigerian officials were in attendance.
In response to the public outcry, the government clarified that funding was provided for only 422 out of the 590 delegates.
The letter enforcing the ban highlighted concerns about the increasing travel expenses of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of Government. Tinubu emphasized the necessity for cabinet members and heads of MDAs to concentrate on their duties for improved service delivery.
In part, the letter 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.
“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 ban serves the purpose of reducing governance costs, according to the letter.
It further stated, “This temporary measure is aimed at cost reduction in governance and intended as a cost-saving measure without compromising government functions.”
Tinubu added that any government official intending to go on a public funded foreign trip must obtain presidential approval at least two weeks before, emphasizing that the trip must be deemed ‘absolutely necessary’.
It added, “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.”
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