Tinubu Announces Ban On Travelling Of Top Government Officials
President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to halt the visa application process for government officials intending to travel to New York for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The President’s directive, issued earlier today, is part of a broader initiative to curtail government spending in Nigeria. A statement from his media aide, Ajuri Ngelale, clarified that this directive is particularly aimed at those officials who lack evidence of direct involvement in UNGA’s official schedule of events.
In addition, the presidency emphasized the need to prevent any irregularities in this process. The U.S. Mission in Nigeria is advised on the official visa processing procedures, and Nigeria’s Permanent Mission in New York is instructed to ensure that only government officials listed on the protocol provided by the approving authority are accredited for the event.
The statement further stated, “With this pronouncement from the President, all Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies are obliged to ensure that officials approved for inclusion in the UNGA delegation limit the number of aides and associated staff participating in the event. Any excesses or discrepancies will be rectified during the final verification phase.”
The President underlined the importance of ensuring that government officials and expenditures align with the frugality and sacrifices being made by responsible citizens throughout the country.