President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to stop the processing of visas for all government officials seeking to travel to New York, United States, for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) without proof of direct participation in the event.

Tinubu also directed Nigeria’s Permanent Mission in New York to stop the accreditation of any government official who is not placed on the protocol lists forwarded by the approving authority.

The latest development was made known in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, on Monday, August 28, 2023.

Ngelale stated that the directive was part of a broader effort to reduce the cost of governance in Nigeria, noting that the U.S. Mission in Nigeria has been guided on official visa processing, to prevent any sharp practice.

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The presidential spokesman added: “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.”

The Star