President Bola Tinubu’s decision to reduce his entourage by 60% for both domestic and international trips receives widespread praise from Nigerians, marking a significant step to curb excessive travel spending.
In a briefing at the Aso Rock Villa, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, outlined the new austerity measures that extend to all federal ministries and agencies, emphasizing a commitment to prudent resource management.
President Tinubu’s directive imposes limits on both international and domestic travels. For international trips, only 20 individuals are allowed to accompany him, reduced to five for the First Lady and Vice President. A similar restriction is applied to the entourage of the Vice President’s wife.
This move comes on the heels of public criticism after the Tinubu administration sponsored a large delegation to the COP28 summit in Dubai, with reports suggesting significant expenditure.
Nigerians took to social media to express their support, with users commending the President for leading by example. Questions about the allocation of saved funds in the budget surfaced, emphasizing the need for transparent financial management.
In their first seven months in office, President Tinubu and Vice Kashim Shettima visited 16 countries, spending a total of 91 days abroad. While defending these trips as vital for foreign investment, critics questioned the economic impact and the size of the accompanying entourage.
Responding to critics, the President’s spokesperson highlighted Tinubu’s determination to bring sanity and prudence to government spending, aligning it with the expectations of Nigerian citizens.
The new directive specifies limits on the number of staff accompanying officials on trips, both domestic and international. The President’s entourage for domestic trips is capped at 25, while the First Lady and Vice President are limited to 10 and 15 staff, respectively. Security personnel within states will play a more prominent role in the President’s protective detail during state visits.
For ministers and agency heads, the limits for foreign trips are set at four and two persons, respectively. Ngelale emphasized that those defying the directive would do so at their peril.
President Tinubu’s cost-cutting measures aim to bring accountability and prudence to government spending, resonating positively among Nigerians seeking financial responsibility from their leaders.
