Nigeria’s 16th President, Mr Bola Tinubu, has announced a ban on official government-sponsored trips for officials.
The decision will take effect on 1 April and last for three months. The announcement was made by his chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
This move comes after Nigerians criticized Mr Tinubu’s administration for its regular visits abroad.
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Tinubu’s government-sponsored over 400 people to attend the COP28 climate conference in Dubai in November 2023. Mr Tinubu himself has made more than 15 foreign trips since his inauguration in May 2023.
According to GovSpend, a platform that tracks government spending in Nigeria, the President has been criticized for spending at least N3.4bn, equivalent to $2.2m; £1.8m, on domestic and foreign travel in the first six months of his presidency—36% more than the budgeted amount of 2023.
Mr Gbajabiamila said Tinubu made the decision due to the “current economic challenges and the need for responsible fiscal management.”
Nigeria is grappling with hyperinflation, and citizens are struggling with the cost of living.
Tinubu’s decision to cut foreign trips for officials for three months is aimed at appeasing angry Nigerians who had described him as reckless and inconsiderate.
In January, Tinubu reduced the number of official delegations during official travels by about 60%, including his own entourage.
Starting in April, officials will only take “deemed necessary” trips, which must be personally approved by Mr Tinubu two weeks before they travel.
However, it is still undetermined whether Mr Tinubu will reduce his trips or if this ban is only for his officials.
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