Nigeria’s President Tinubu introduces three-month ban on publicly funded foreign trips

President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has introduced a three-month ban on ministers and other government officials from publicly funded foreign trips.

The president’s chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, said concerns about the rising cost of travel expenses by public officials prompted the move.  The ban will take effect on April 1, 2024. 

Some have criticized President Tinubu and his administration for their frequent overseas travels. He faced particular backlash, notably on social media, following his government’s sponsorship of over 400 individuals to attend the COP28 climate conference in Dubai last November. Since assuming office in May 2023, Mr. Tinubu has embarked on more than 15 foreign excursions.

According to a report by the Nigerian newspaper Punch in January, citing GovSpend, a civic tech platform monitoring government spending, the Nigerian president expended a minimum of 3.4 billion naira (USD 2.2 million; £1.8 million) on both domestic and foreign travel during the initial six months of his presidency. This amount exceeded the budgeted allocation for 2023 by 36 per cent.

In response to Nigeria’s “current economic challenges and the imperative for prudent fiscal management,” Mr. Tinubu’s chief of staff, stated that the travel ban would serve to reduce expenses.

Amidst one of the most severe cost-of-living crises in decades, Nigeria is facing widespread hardship and discontent. In response to public outcry, President Tinubu has implemented a three-month prohibition on official travel by government officials, marking his latest effort to address public concerns.

In January, President Tinubu announced a significant reduction, by approximately 60 per cent, in the size of official travel delegations, including cuts to his entourage. Effective April, government officials will only be authorized to undertake foreign trips deemed essential, requiring President Tinubu’s approval at least two weeks in advance.

Gbajabiamila emphasized that the travel hiatus aims to ensure government officials prioritize their responsibilities for effective service delivery. Despite tightening restrictions on official travel, President Tinubu has yet to indicate whether he will reduce his overseas engagements.