By Damilare Adeleye
President Bola Tinubu has reportedly placed a ban on all public funded international trips for ministers, officials and heads of agencies.
This was contained in a letter signed by Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
The directive places a three-month embargo on foreign travel by government officials starting April 1, 2024, in a move aimed at reducing cost of governance and ensuring fiscal responsibility.
“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,” part of the letter reads.
The letter cited the “current economic challenges and the need for responsible fiscal management” as reasons for the temporary ban on international travel funded by taxpayers.
In the letter, the Chief of Staff said, “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 April 2024.
“This temporary measure is aimed at cost reduction in governance and intended as a cost-saving measure without compromising government functions.”
While the ban is in effect, any proposed official trips abroad must receive explicit approval from President Tinubu at least two weeks prior to travel after being deemed “absolutely necessary.”
The cost-cutting measure comes barely months after the 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, called on the current administration to stop all foreign trips for government officials until insecurity and other challenges facing the country were addressed.