President Bola Tinubu has taken a decisive step towards cutting the cost of governance by issuing a directive to reduce the number of officials accompanying him and other key government figures on official trips. The directive, which aims to enhance efficiency and resource management, was revealed by Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity.
Under the new guidelines, the President will now travel with a significantly reduced entourage of only 20 officials, a sharp decrease from the previous number of over 50. Similarly, the Vice President’s entourage has been reduced to just five officials, while the First Lady and the wife of the Vice President will each be accompanied by five officials on international trips.
For domestic travel, the President’s entourage has been limited to 25 officials, with the Vice President traveling with 15, and the First Lady and the wife of the Vice President with 10 officials each. This drastic reduction in numbers is intended to streamline official trips and ensure a more cost-effective approach to governance.
In addition to reducing the size of official delegations, the President has directed that security details for local trips should be sourced from the host state, rather than being part of the traveling entourage. This move is expected to further reduce the financial burden associated with official travel.
In line with the new directive, ministers embarking on foreign trips will now be accompanied by a maximum of four officials, while heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) will travel with a maximum of two officials. This measure is aimed at curbing excessive spending on foreign delegations and promoting a more streamlined approach to official engagements.
It is worth noting that the President’s spokesman emphasized the importance of adhering to these new guidelines, warning that any official found flouting the directive would do so at their own risk. A circular detailing the new directive has already been circulated to various government ministries, departments, and agencies, signaling the President’s commitment to enforcing these cost-saving measures.
Vanguard News