Foreign trips: Tinubu slams 3 months ban on ministers, others

President Bola Tinubu has ordered that cabinet members and other government officials are prevented from travelling for three months as he aims to curb government spending.
From April 1 2024 government officials would sit at home for three months, unless they are funding their own travel expense according to a March 12, 2024 letter signed by Tinubu’s Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamilla and addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume and made available to the media, the ban was cut government spending.
“Mr President has concerns about the rising cost of travel expenses borne by Ministries, Department 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 Ist April 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 trips must seek and obtain Presidential approval at least two weeks before embarking on any such trip, which must be deemed necessary.”
Criticism has been directed at President Tinubu and his administration for their frequent international visits. Particularly contentious was the sponsorship of over 400 individuals to attend the COP28 climate conference in Dubai last November, drawing ire, particularly on social media platforms.
Since assuming office in May 2023, President Tinubu has embarked on more than 15 foreign trips. Reports indicate that his expenditure on both domestic and foreign travel surpassed budgeted amounts, with figures reaching 3.4 billion naira ($2.2 million; £1.8 million) in the first half of his presidency.