As part of a broader initiative aimed at curbing governance costs in Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to suspend the visa application process for government officials planning to travel to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, unless they can verify their direct involvement in UNGA’s official activities. A statement from the Presidency on Monday conveyed this decision.
To ensure transparency, the United States Mission in Nigeria will adhere to official visa processing guidelines, while Nigeria’s Permanent Mission in New York has received instructions to prevent the accreditation of government officials not included in the protocol lists provided by the approving authority.
Under this directive, all Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies must ensure that officials approved for the UNGA delegation adhere strictly to limitations on the number of aides and staff accompanying them to 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.”
