Tinubu Implements Three-Month Ban on Government Officials’ Foreign Trips”
President Bola Tinubu has imposed a three-month ban on ministers, heads of agencies, and other government officials from undertaking publicly funded foreign trips. The ban, effective from April 1, 2024, was communicated through 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.
In January, Tinubu had previously issued directives to reduce the number of people accompanying him on both local and foreign trips, limiting delegation members to 25 for local travels and 20 for international trips. Additionally, he mandated that security agents at his destination provide his protection instead of being accompanied by numerous security personnel from Abuja.
This decision follows backlash faced by Tinubu during and after the twenty-eighth Conference of Parties (COP28) in the United Arab Emirates, where approximately 590 Nigerian officials attended. Despite government claims that funding was provided for only 422 individuals, concerns over rising travel expenses prompted the temporary ban on public funded international trips.
The directive aims to address concerns about the growing cost of travel expenses borne by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), emphasizing the need for cabinet members and heads of MDAs to focus on their respective mandates for effective service delivery.
Under the temporary ban, government officials seeking to embark on publicly funded foreign trips must obtain presidential approval at least two weeks before the intended travel date, with trips deemed absolutely necessary.
Tinubu emphasized that the measure is intended to reduce costs in governance without compromising government functions, aligning with efforts toward responsible fiscal management.
