March 21, (THEWILL) – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has placed a temporary ban on foreign trips by public officials under the employment of the Federal Government.
This was conveyed in a circular signed by Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President. Dated March 12, 2024, the circular SH/COS/63/1A/5746, sighted by THEWILL, was addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation for onward circulation to all MDAs
Titled: “Presidential Directive to Suspend Public Funded Foreign Trips By Government Officials,“ the circular noted that henceforth, any such public-funded trips are put on hold for three months, in the first instance.
The President said the move is part of the administration’s cost-saving measures, which are also intended to make all heads of MDAs “focus on effective service delivery, especially with regards to the mandates assigned to them”.
“The above subject matter refers: Mr. President has concerns about the rising cost of travel expenses borne by Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) 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.
“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 at all levels, for an initial period of three months from April 1, 2024,” the circular reads in part.
