President Tinubu Bans Public Funded Foreign Trips For Govt Officials

Abuja, Nigeria– To curtail excessive spending and prioritize domestic affairs, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a directive placing a temporary ban on all publicly funded international trips for federal government officials at all levels.

The ban, effective from April 1, 2024, will remain enforced for an initial period of three months.

In a memo signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila and addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.

According to the memo, “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 April 1, 2024.

“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 official communication is coming days after there was public outrage over the execution of a plan by the Accountant General of the Federation, commissioners of finance of the 36 states of the federation and other government officials, to jet out of the country to hold a workshop in the United Kingdom.

The Office held the workshop on Public Financial Management and International Public Sector Accounting Standards in London, UK at Copthorne Tara Hotel, Kensington, from March 4 to March 9, 2024.