Tinubu bans government officials from going on publicly-funded foreign trips for three months

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has placed a three month ban on government officials going publicly-funded foreign trips in response to the growing economic crisis gripping the country that has pushed the price of basic foodstuffs.

Nigeria is currently reeling from the impact of chronic hyper-inflation, with the cost of basic food prices soaring and rising on a daily basis. Some economists have put the crisis down to President Tinubu's decision to abolish petrol subsidies, which they say resulted in higher transport costs, which had a knock-on effect in other sectors of the economy.

With Nigeria's minimum wage a mere N30,000 ($20) per month, ordinary workers are struggling to afford basic staple foods like rice, gari, yam, cooking oil, noodles, bread, etc. In a desperate attempt to address the problem, President Tinubu has ordered the release of national food stocks.

Under pressure to show some sympathy with the p[light of ordinary Nigerians, President Tinubu has now banned ministers, heads of agencies and other government officials from embarking on public funded-foreign trips. This ban will last for three months in the first instance and will take effect on April 1, this year.

Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, the president's chief of staff has sent a letter to the secretary to the government of the federation, George Akume, effecting the order. In January, President Tinubu issued an order to reduce the number of people accompanying him on both local and foreign trips, noting that his delegation members should not exceed 25 for local travels and 20 for international trips.

This came following the backlash he faced during and after the last Conference of Parties in the United Arab Emirates, which about 590 Nigerian officials attended. Responding to the public outburst, the government said it provided funding for only 422 out of the 590 individuals in the delegation.

Hon Gbajabiamila's letter read 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 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.

“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 prior to embarking on any such trip, which must be deemed absolutely necessary.”