President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a directive temporarily halting ministers, agency heads, and government officials from embarking on public funded foreign trips for three months, starting April 1, 2024. The ban, aimed at cost reduction and responsible fiscal management, requires officials to seek presidential approval at least two weeks in advance for essential international travel.
The directive, communicated through a letter from Tinubu’s Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila to George Akumehe, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, underscores concerns over escalating travel expenses and the imperative for officials to concentrate on their core duties.
Tinubu emphasized, “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 memo outlines, “This temporary measure is aimed at cost reduction in governance and intended as a cost saving measure without compromising government functions.”
It further states, “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.”
The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation is tasked with disseminating this directive to all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of government.
