Tinubu bans non-UNGA linked officials from traveling to US

President Bola Tinubu has banned government officials who have no link with the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) from traveling to the United States.

The ban, which was announced during the first Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Monday, August 28, 2023, is aimed at cutting down on unnecessary travel expenses.

“We have to be mindful of the fact that we are in a period of economic hardship,” Tinubu said in a statement. “We cannot afford to waste scarce resources on unnecessary travel.”

The ban applies to all government officials, including ministers, ambassadors, and state governors. It does not apply to officials who are traveling to the US to attend UNGA meetings or other official events.

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It remains to be seen how the ban will be enforced. The ban is the latest in a series of measures that Tinubu has taken to cut government spending.

Tinubu’s government is facing a number of challenges, including a high debt burden, a falling currency, and rising inflation. The ban on non-UNGA-linked travel is seen as one way to address these challenges.

It remains to be seen whether the ban will be effective in saving money. However, it is clear that Tinubu is determined to take steps to reduce government spending.