Tinubu Directs Slash in Size of Govt’s Officials Attending Foreign Events

President Bola Tinubu has directed the streamlining of the number of federal government officials that would be taking part in foreign events, on government’s sponsorship, starting with the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States (US), next month.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday, August 28, by the special adviser on media and publicity to the president, Ajuri Ngelale.

Government officials, judges, and others will receive a 114% pay raise – RMAFC.

The president ordered a cut down on the number of officials participating in foreign trips to reduce the cost of governance by the administration.

The statement stated that the president’s directive would be implemented by the various ministries, departments and agencies of government, warning that wherever it is discovered that the directive has not been followed, the necessary actions would be taken during the final verification process.

It noted: “As part of a broader effort to reduce the cost of governance in Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to freeze the processing of visas for all government officials seeking to travel to New York for the United Nations General Assembly without proof of direct participation in UNGA’s official schedule of activities.

“To prevent any sharp practice in this regard, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria is accordingly guided on official visa processing while Nigeria’s Permanent Mission in New York is further directed to prevent and stop the accreditation of any government official who is not placed on the protocol lists forwarded by the approving authority.

“By this directive of the President, all Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies are mandated to ensure that all officials, who are approved for inclusion in the UNGA delegation, strictly limit the number of aides and associated staff partaking in the event. Where excesses or anomalies in this regard are identified, they will be removed during the final verification process.

“The President wishes to affirm that, henceforth, government officials and government expenditure must reflect the prudence and sacrifice being made by well-meaning Nigerians across the nation.”