Tinubu Implements Three-Month Ban on Government Officials’ Foreign Trips

President Bola Tinubu has imposed a three-month prohibition on ministers, agency heads, and other government officials from undertaking publicly funded foreign journeys, effective April 1, 2024. The directive, outlined in a letter dated March 12, 2024, signed by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, aims to curb escalating travel expenses and refocus officials on their core responsibilities amid economic challenges. The move follows Tinubu’s earlier instructions to streamline delegation sizes for both domestic and international trips, prompted by criticism over the extensive Nigerian presence at the COP28 conference in the United Arab Emirates. The ban requires officials to obtain presidential approval at least two weeks before any essential international travel, emphasizing stringent cost-saving measures without compromising governmental functions.