President Bola Tinubu has taken a decisive step to enhance accountability and reduce the cost of governance by implementing stricter guidelines for Nigerian government officials attending the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States.
According to a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu has directed that only federal government officials with specific roles or those who can provide evidence of direct participation will be permitted to attend UNGA.
This move comes as part of a broader effort to streamline government expenditure.
The President’s directive also includes freezing the processing of visas for government officials seeking to travel to New York for the UNGA’s official activities.
The U.S. Mission in Nigeria has been informed of the official visa processing guidelines to ensure transparency and accountability.
Nigeria’s Permanent Mission in New York has been instructed to prevent the accreditation of any government official not listed on the protocol lists approved by the relevant authorities.
The statement emphasized that all federal ministries, departments, and agencies must adhere to the new guidelines.
Approved officials are required to limit the number of aides and associated staff accompanying them to the UNGA. Any excessive or anomalous additions will be removed during the final verification process.
President Tinubu’s directive underscores the need for government officials and expenditures to align with the prudence and sacrifices being made by Nigerian citizens across the nation.