[dropcap]P[/dropcap]resident Bola Tinubu has taken a bold step to significantly reduce travel delegations for Federal Government officials, both within and outside the country.
The directive, revealed by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Ajuri Ngelale, during a press briefing at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday, includes a 60% reduction across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
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Ngelale emphasized that the directive applies to the President, Vice President, and the First Lady’s offices, indicating a commitment to a cost-cutting exercise that aims to streamline official travel expenses. The President’s approval signifies a departure from the past practice of large security delegations accompanying officials on trips, resulting in substantial financial implications for the government.
On international trips, President Tinubu has stipulated that no more than 20 individuals will be allowed to travel with him. For the First Lady, this number will be reduced to five. Similarly, the Vice President’s entourage on official international trips is capped at five members, and the Wife of the Vice President will also be limited to five individuals.
For domestic travel, the President has approved a new limit of 25 staff members accompanying him within the country. The offices of the First Lady and the Wife of the Vice President are now restricted to 10 staff members on official trips within Nigeria. The Vice President’s entourage on domestic trips is limited to 15 members.
Ministers will face a cap of four accompanying staff members on foreign trips, while heads of agencies are allowed only two staff members on international travel.
Ngelale stated, “By this directive, every minister will be limited to having not more than four members of staff going with them to any event anywhere in the world. In the case of CEOs of agencies, they will be limited to two staff going with them anywhere in the world.”
The announcement comes in the wake of public scrutiny and criticism faced by the Tinubu administration for the perceived extravagance displayed during the COP28 Climate Change Summit in Dubai, UAE, where a sizable entourage accompanied the President. This move signals a commitment to fiscal responsibility and prudence in managing government resources, aligning with the President’s vision for a more accountable and efficient administration.
Oreoluwa is an accountant and a brand writer with a flair for journalism.
