Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu plans to implement a three-month restriction on ministers and other government officials from utilizing publicly funded foreign travel.
According to Mr. Tinubu’s chief of staff, the decision stems from the president’s concerns regarding the escalating expenses associated with official travel by public officials. The ban is scheduled to commence on April 1.
Critics have targeted President Tinubu and his administration, particularly for their frequent overseas trips. The controversy intensified following the government’s sponsorship of over 400 individuals to attend the COP28 climate conference in Dubai last November.
Since assuming office in May 2023, President Tinubu has embarked on more than 15 foreign trips. Reports suggest that he has expended at least 3.4 billion naira ($2.2 million; £1.8 million) on both domestic and foreign travel within the first six months of his presidency.
This expenditure surpasses the budgeted amount for 2023 by 36%, as reported by the Nigerian newspaper Punch in January, citing GovSpend, a civic tech platform that monitors government spending.
Femi Gbajabiamila, the chief of staff to Mr. Tinubu, stated that the travel ban aims to reduce costs amidst Nigeria’s current economic challenges and the imperative for responsible fiscal management. Nigeria is currently facing one of its most severe cost-of-living crises in decades, resulting in widespread hardship and discontent.
The three-month suspension of official travel by government officials represents Mr. Tinubu’s latest effort to address public criticism. In January, the Nigerian president announced a 60% reduction in the size of official travel delegations, including cuts to his own entourage.
When the ban takes effect in April, government officials will only be permitted to undertake foreign trips deemed absolutely necessary, requiring President Tinubu’s approval at least two weeks prior to travel. Mr. Gbajabiamila emphasized that the travel halt will enable government officials to concentrate on their respective mandates for effective service delivery.
Despite tightening restrictions on travel by government officials, Mr. Tinubu has not indicated whether he will reduce his own trips.
In the past, the president and his representatives have justified his trips as essential for tackling the economic challenges he is accused of neglecting.