President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced a temporary halt to all publicly funded international trips for federal government officials at every level. This measure, effective from April 1, 2024, for an initial three-month period, aims to address current economic challenges.
The decision, communicated through a memo signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, underscores the need for officials to focus on their primary responsibilities amidst economic constraints.
The memo, titled “Presidential Directive to Suspend Public Funded Foreign Trips By Government Officials,” emphasizes President Tinubu’s concerns over escalating travel costs and the imperative for officials to concentrate on service delivery mandates.
The directive follows public outcry over a recent plan for government officials to travel to the United Kingdom for a workshop on Public Financial Management and International Public Sector Accounting Standards. The workshop, held from March 4 to March 9, 2024, sparked controversy given the prevailing economic circumstances.