FG bans ministers, others from foreign trips

The Federal Government has imposed a temporary ban on all ministers and federal officials of Ministry Departments and Agencies (MDAs) from travelling abroad for public purposes.

The decision, according to the federal government, was made due to the increasing cost of travel expenses.

According to the government, the directive will be effective from April and will be enforced for an initial period of three months and will affect Federal Government officials at all levels.

The memo announcing this decision was communicated by the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on March 12.

“Considering the current economic challenges and the need for responsible fiscal management, I am writing to communicate Mr President’s directive to place a temporary ban on all publicly funded international trips for all Federal Government officials at all levels, for an initial period of three (3) months from April 1, 2024,’’ the memo partly read.

As per the memo, the federal government noted that any government officials who plan to travel abroad with public funds must obtain approval from the President at least two (2) weeks before the trip. It stated that the trip must be considered “absolutely necessary.”

“Considering the above, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation is kindly requested to circulate this directive to all Ministries, Departments and
Agencies of government.