President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has banned federal government officials who do not have a direct role to play in the forthcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) from traveling with the Nigerian delegation to New York.
The president’s directive was issued in the State House Press Release made public on Monday, August 28, 2023, ahead of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, UNGA 78, which will be taking place in New York from September 12 to 30, 2023.
The press release which was signed by Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) revealed that the action was taken as part of this administration’s effort to cut down the cost of governance.
In the press statement also, President Tinubu affirmed that, “henceforth, government officials and government expenditure must reflect the prudence and sacrifice being made by well-meaning Nigerians across the nation.”
The press release reads:
“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.”
