President Bola Tinubu has instituted a ban on public-funded international travel for ministers, officials, and agency heads, highlighting the pressing economic challenges and the imperative for prudent fiscal management.
The directive was conveyed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, in a letter addressed to George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
In the correspondence, the rationale behind the prohibition was articulated, emphasizing President Tinubu’s concerns regarding the escalating travel expenses incurred by government bodies and the essential need for officials to concentrate on their core responsibilities for efficient service delivery.
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Exemptions from the ban would necessitate prior presidential approval, mandating that requests be submitted at least two weeks before the proposed travel date. The temporary measure is slated for an initial period of three months starting from April 1, 2024, aimed at streamlining governance expenses whilst preserving governmental efficacy.
This directive follows public outcry over a recent overseas excursion orchestrated by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF). The workshop, centred on Public Financial Management and International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), convened in London, UK, at the Copthorne Tara Hotel, Kensington, from March 4 to March 9, 2024.
The event, titled “Public Financial Management and IPSAS,” congregated state finance commissioners alongside OAGF representatives. Criticism arose within Nigeria, with many questioning the timing of such an excursion amidst the nation’s ongoing foreign exchange challenges.
