As part of a comprehensive initiative to curtail governance expenses in Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu has issued a directive to the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This directive involves temporarily halting the visa application process for government officials planning to travel to New York for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). This freeze applies to officials who cannot provide evidence of direct involvement in the official activities outlined on the UNGA schedule.
Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, has conveyed that the United States Mission in Nigeria will adhere to these guidelines during the official visa processing procedure. Furthermore, Nigeria’s Permanent Mission in New York has received instructions to prevent the accreditation of any government official who lacks inclusion on the protocol lists approved by the relevant authority.
Ngelale emphasized that, as a result of this presidential directive, all Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies are mandated to ensure that officials permitted to join the UNGA delegation strictly limit the number of aides and supporting staff accompanying them to the event. Any instances of excesses or irregularities in this matter will be rectified during the final verification process.
In light of these developments, Ngelale noted that the President underscores the necessity for government officials and expenditures to align with the prudence and sacrifices being made by conscientious Nigerians across the nation moving forward.
