President Tinubu bans public funded foreign trips for FG officials

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has placed a temporary ban on all public funded international trips for all federal government officials at all levels, for an initial period of three months, starting from April 1, 2024.

This was made known in a memo signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila and addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume. 

According to the memo, the president noted that the decision was as a result of the current economic realities in the country. The president stated that there was the need to ensure that all public officials in leadership positions focus on their core mandates for effective service delivery instead of getting distracted by such movements.

Tagged: “Presidential Directive to Suspend Public Funded Foreign Trips By Government Officials,“ the memo noted that henceforth , any such publicly funded trips are put on hold for three months, in the first instance.

“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,” part of the letter stated

The official communication is coming days after there was public outrage over the execution of a plan by the Accountant General of the Federation, commissioners of finance of the 36 states of the federation and other government officials, to jet out of the country to hold a workshop in the United Kingdom.

The Office held the workshop on Public Financial Management and International Public Sector Accounting Standards in London, UK at Copthorne Tara Hotel, Kensington, from March 4 to March 9, 2024.