This is according to a State House circular dated March 12, 2024 and addressed to Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, for onward circulation to all the Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs).
Tinubu explained that the suspension of government officials from foreign trips was part of his administration’s cost reduction measures, with a view to making all heads of MDAs “focus on effective service delivery, especially with regards to the mandates assigned to them”.
The circular added: “Mr President has concerns about the rising cost of travel borne by Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the government as well as the growing needs for Cabinet members and heads of MDAs to focus in 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 from 1st April, 2024.
“This temporary measure is aimed at cost reduction in governance and intended as a cost saving measure without compromising governance functions.”
The circular titled, ‘Presidential Directive to Suspend Public Funded Foreign Trips by Government Officials’, also directed all government officials who intend to go on any public-funded international trip, which must be deemed absolutely necessary, to seek and obtain presidential approval at least two weeks prior to embarking on any such trip.
President Tinubu, had last December, come under severe criticisms, following the huge number of delegates at the COP28 Climate Summit in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
In response to the public outcry, the President in January, slashed travel delegations for all federal government official trips within and outside Nigeria.
Also recently, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved full implementation of the 12-year old Steve Oronsaye Report, which recommended among others; the merger of government agencies and commissions, as a way to cut cost of governance.