2023: Tinubu bars govt officials with no direct UNGA participation from traveling

President Bola Tinubu has barred government officials without proof of direct participation in this year’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) from traveling to New York.

The presidential directive was part of a “broader effort to reduce the cost of governance in Nigeria”, presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, said in a statement on Monday.

The President also ordered the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to freeze the processing of visas for such government officials.

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“To prevent any sharp practice in this regard, the US Mission in Nigeria is accordingly guided on official visa processing while Nigeria’s Permanent Mission in New York is further directed to prevent and stop the accreditation of any government official who is not placed on the protocol lists forwarded by the approving authority,” the statement partly read.

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According to Ngelale, federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) were 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 wishes to affirm that, henceforth, government officials and government expenditure must reflect the prudence and sacrifice being made by well-meaning Nigerians across the nation,” the statement added.

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United States President, Joe Biden, is expected to meet Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UNGA happening from September 12-30, 2023.