As part of a broader effort to reduce the cost of governance in Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to freeze the processing of visas for all government officials seeking to travel to New York for the United Nations General Assembly without proof of direct participation in UNGA’s official schedule of activities, a statement by the Presidency said on Monday.
According to a statement by his media aide, Ajuri Ngelale, the decision that came from the President this afternoon is thought to be a part of a larger effort to lower the cost of governance in Nigeria.
The instruction is specifically for individuals without documentation of direct involvement in the UNGA’s scheduled activities, it was added.
The Nigerian Permanent Mission in New York was further instructed to prevent and stop the accreditation of any government official who is not listed on the protocol lists provided by the approving authority in order to prevent any sharp practices in this regard. The U.S. Mission in Nigeria is similarly instructed on official visa processing.
“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.
“By this directive of the President, all Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies are 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.”
