The President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has suspended all public funded foreign trips for all Federal Government officials with effect from April 1, 2024.
According to CHANNELS TELEVISION report, this was contained in a circular dated March 12, 2024, titled, ‘Presidential Directive to Suspend Public Funded Foreign Trips by Government Officials’.
The President noted that the move is part of his administration’s cost reduction strategy.
The letter reads in part, “Mr President has concerns about the rising cost of travel borne by Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the government as well as the growing needs for Cabinet members and heads of MDAs to focus in 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 from 1st April, 2024.
“This temporary measure is aimed at cost reduction in governance and intended as a cost saving measure without compromising governance functions.”
The president further directed all government officials who intend to go on any public-funded international trip to seek and obtain presidential approval at least two weeks prior to set date.
