President Bola Tinubu has suspended publicly sponsored overseas travel in an effort to ease pressure on the value of the Nigerian naira, according to information obtained from the official social media accounts.
Due to the nation’s economic difficulties, the government has decided to halt the international travel of its cabinet members for a period of three months, starting on April 1.
Relevant ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) have received a circular on this development from the Office of Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, through the Office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
Ministers, chiefs of ministries and agencies, and other senior Federal Government personnel are impacted, according to a circular that was issued by a presidential adviser on X, formerly known as Twitter.
It says any official going on an important foreign assignment must obtain presidential approval two weeks before the trip. The circular was also sent to the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.
It reads: “Mr. President has concerns about the rising cost of travel expenses borne by ministries, departments 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.
“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.
“This temporary measure is aimed at cost reduction in governance and intended as a cost-saving measure without compromising government functions.
“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.”
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