President Bola Tinubu has ushered in a significant era of austerity with a directive aimed at curbing the excesses of official travel within the Federal Government. Announced by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the directive mandates a substantial 60% reduction in travel delegations, impacting all government entities, from the president’s office to ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
International travel restrictions for ministers limit accompanying individuals to four, agency heads to two, and the president to a maximum of 20. The first lady’s entourage is capped at five, while the vice president and his wife are allowed five each. For domestic trips, the president is permitted 25 companions, the vice president 15, and the first lady 10.
This sweeping directive reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to bringing about total sanity and prudence in the management of the country’s resources. The move aligns with his resolve to eradicate wasteful spending and recurrent expenditure excesses within the government.
By enforcing these limitations, the president aims to set a standard for government officials, emphasizing accountability and cost-consciousness. The directive also extends its impact to every federal MDA, emphasizing a collective responsibility to manage the nation’s resources judiciously.
Henceforth, this directive serves as a paradigm shift, signaling the end of an era where government officials operated differently from the expectations placed on Nigerian citizens concerning prudence and financial management.
Tinubu’s directive underscores a commitment to transparency, accountability, and a more efficient utilization of the nation’s commonwealth.
