President Bola Tinubu has taken a decisive step to address burgeoning government expenditures by approving a directive that dramatically trims the size of official delegations for both foreign and domestic trips, marking an impressive 60% reduction.
The announcement was made by Presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale during a press briefing at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday. Ngelale outlined that the directive would have a broad impact, affecting travels by the President, Vice President, First Lady, and other high-ranking government officials.
For foreign trips, Tinubu’s delegation will now be capped at 20 individuals, marking a drastic reduction from the previous 50-member delegation. The First Lady’s entourage abroad is now limited to just five members, reflecting a reduction of over 60%. The Vice President’s foreign delegation will also be restricted to five members, with a similar limit applied to his wife.
On the domestic front, President Tinubu’s delegation for travels within Nigeria is now capped at 25, while the First Lady is limited to 10 members, the Vice President to 15, and his wife to 10 members.
Ngelale emphasized that the aim behind these restrictions is to cut down on wasteful spending and instill a sense of fiscal prudence expected from all Nigerians. The directive applies to all government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), including the offices of the President and Vice President.
Furthermore, Ngelale outlined specific limits for ministers and heads of government agencies when undertaking official trips. Ministers are allowed a maximum of four staff members on any foreign trip, while CEOs of government agencies are limited to just two.
In stressing the President’s commitment to ensuring government officials exhibit the same fiscal prudence as regular citizens, Ngelale stated that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, will monitor the implementation of the directive for compliance. He warned that any violation of the directive would result in consequences.
Ngelale detailed, “The President is insistent that the prudence of government officials must reflect the prudence and efficiency of the Nigerian citizens, and this is the directive of the President. If there is anybody who feels that the directive of the President is not binding on them, who feels that the President will not uphold this directive in implementation and seeks to test it, they will do so at their own peril.”
