President Tinubu has announced a temporary suspension on all public funded foreign trips for ministers and other government agencies starting from April 1st, 2024.
The President stressed the requirement for government officials planning to go on any publicly funded foreign trips to first obtain presidential approval at least two weeks before the travelling date and such trips must be considered as essential for approval to be granted.
According to the statement, the suspension is to last for three months.
The statement reads:
“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 1st April 2024.”
The letter further stated that government officials who intend to embark on any public-funded international trip must seek and get presidential approval at least two weeks before proceeding on the trip.
According to the president, such trips must be ‘deemed absolutely necessary.’
“All government officials who intend to go on any public funded international trips must seek and obtain Presidential approval at least two weeks prior to embarking on any such trip, which must be deemed absolutely necessary.”
