President Bola Tinubu has placed a temporary ban on foreign travels by ministers and heads of ministries, departments and agencies for an initial period of three months.
According to a memo from the office of the chief of staff to the president, Femi Gbajabiamila, addressed to the secretary to government of the federation (SGF) and dated March 12, 2024, the suspension was necessary because of increasing cost.
Titled, “Presidential directive to suspend public funded foreign trips by government officials,” the memo informed that President Tinubu was concerned about the cost under the current economic challenges the country is facing.
The memo reads in part: “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 (3) months from 1st 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 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.”
The memo directed the SGF to circulate the directive to ministries, departments and agencies.
