Nigeria bans ministers from publicly-funded overseas trips

ABUJA. - will from 1 April Nigeria will impose a three-month ban on ministers and other government officials from publicly funded overseas travel, President Bola Tinubu has annouced

This is aimed at curbing government spending on foreign trips.

This decision comes as a response to Mr Tinubu’s concerns regarding the escalating costs associated with such trips by public officials. His chief of staff highlighted the necessity of this move against the backdrop of mounting travel expenses incurred by the government.

Criticism has been directed at the current administration for their frequent international visits. Particularly contentious was the sponsorship of over 400 individuals to attend the COP28 climate conference in Dubai last November, drawing ire, particularly on social media platforms.

Since assuming office in May 2023,

Mr Tinubu has embarked on more than 15 foreign trips. Reports indicate that his expenditure on both domestic and foreign travel surpassed budgeted amounts, with figures reaching 3.4 billion naira (US$2.2 million) in the first half of his presidency.

Faced with Nigeria’s pressing economic challenges and the imperative of prudent fiscal management, the new administration sees the travel ban as a necessary step. The country is grappling with severe cost-of-living crises, exacerbating widespread hardship and public discontent.

This temporary prohibition on official travel underscores Mr Tinubu’s commitment to addressing public concerns. Earlier initiatives included a significant reduction in the size of official travel delegations, including his entourage, announced in January. – africanews. com