President Bola Tinubu has forbidden federal government officials from travelling to New York unless they have proof of direct engagement in this year’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The President also asked the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to halt visa processing for all government personnel who do not have a direct business need to attend the UNGA summit.
According to a statement by Ajuri Ngalale, the president’s spokesperson, these steps are part of a larger attempt to lower the cost of governance in Nigeria.
“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.
The President further directed that any government official whose name is not on the protocol lists given by the approving body should not be accredited and that the Permanent Mission in New York should cease it immediately.
Additionally, Mr. Tinubu ordered that the American Embassy in Nigeria receive the proper instructions on handling official visas.
The President further requested that those federal MDA officials who approved the UNGA delegation be careful to restrict the participation of aides and other support workers.
In this regard, he stated that any irregularities found would be eliminated during the final certification phase.
“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 also affirmed that, henceforth, government officials and government expenditure must reflect the prudence and sacrifice being made by well-meaning Nigerians across the nation.
