In a proactive move aimed at streamlining government expenditures and promoting responsible governance, former President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to halt visa processing for government officials intending to travel to New York for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September, unless they can provide evidence of their direct participation in the official activities of the event.

This decision, as communicated by presidential spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale in a statement released recently, aligns with broader strategies to curtail the cost of governance in Nigeria. To ensure the efficacy of these measures, both the United States Mission in Nigeria and Nigeria’s Permanent Mission in New York have been duly informed.

The latter has been directed to reject accreditation for government officials who aren’t included in the protocol lists submitted by authorized channels.

With the guidance of this presidential directive, all Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies are compelled to enforce strict limitations on the number of aides and support staff accompanying officials approved to be part of the UNGA delegation. Any irregularities discovered in this process will be rectified during the final verification stage, as emphasized by the president.

President Tinubu, in reaffirming the government’s commitment to prudent resource management, underscored that government officials’ behavior and expenditure should mirror the prudent efforts and sacrifices being made by responsible citizens across the country. The directive emerges from a desire to align government actions with the aspirations of Nigerians for a better and more prosperous nation.

On Sunday, Tinubu expressed a strong stance against ineffective economic practices that have contributed to wastage of a significant portion of Nigeria’s limited revenue on servicing external debts. He highlighted the necessity of implementing reforms that may lead to initial discomfort but are essential for steering the nation toward a more promising future.

Tinubu’s resolute message reflected a collective responsibility beyond individuals. He stated, “The choices we make today are not solely for our benefit but for the benefit of future generations, for whom we must lay the foundation of a strong and prosperous country.”

In setting forth these guidelines and principles, Tinubu’s intent is to guide Nigeria onto a trajectory of responsible governance, fiscal prudence, and long-term prosperity. The steps taken to enforce accountability among government officials attending the UNGA serve as a testament to the commitment to building a nation that effectively manages its resources for the greater good.