President Bola Tinubu has ordered a ban on all foreign trips by ministers and other government officials.
Mr Tinubu gave the directive via a letter by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
In the letter, dated 12 March 2024, Mr Tinubu directed an embargo on all foreign trips. However, according to the letter, exemption could be given to “trips deemed absolutely necessary”.
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A minister, who preferred not to be named because he has no permission to speak on the matter, told this medium that he received a copy of the letter from the presidency.
In the letter, President Tinubu expressed concerns over the rising cost of foreign trips embarked upon by government officials amid Nigeria’s dire economic situation.
According to the letter, the ban will last 90 days in the first instance and will come into effect on 1 April, 2024.
“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,” the letter reads.
The letter stated further that “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 (3) months from Is April 2024.
“This temporary measure is aimed at cost reduction in governance and intended as a cost-saving measure without compromising government functions.”
Mr Tinubu said exemptions would need presidential approvals which must be sought two weeks ahead of the planned trip.
“All government officials who intend to go on any public funded international trips must seek and obtain Presidential approval at least two (2) weeks prior to embarking on any such trip, which must be deemed absolutely necessary,” the letter reads.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari also issued a travel ban to officials in 2019. However, that ban was to allow government officials appear before the National Assembly for budget defence.
Mr Tinubu’s half-hearted commitment to cutting cost of governance
Mr Tinubu, since his inauguration in May, has embarked on some painful reforms like fuel subsidy removal and unification of the exchange rate regime.
Some of the reforms have produced inflationary pressures. However, many see the current government as not cutting down its recurrent expenditure.
Many Nigerians consider Mr Tinubu as not committed to cutting down the cost of governance. Often, the president embarks on foreign trips with large delegations.
