President Bola Tinubu has issued a directive to significantly reduce the size of Nigeria’s official delegation to the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meetings in New York, United States.
This directive was announced by the Chief of Staff to the President, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, during a one-day retreat organised by the State House management for heads of government agencies under its supervision. The retreat took place on Saturday in Abuja.
According to a press release by the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the Chief of Staff emphasised that this decision is part of the administration’s broader commitment to prudent resource management and reducing the cost of governance. Honourable Gbajabiamila highlighted that only officials with a clear and necessary role at the 79th session of UNGA in September would be permitted to attend.
Gbajabiamila noted that this policy is in direct response to public concerns over the cost of governance, particularly during international events where large delegations are often seen. He stressed that the President is determined to avoid situations where individuals use such international platforms for personal business rather than official duties.
“I just discussed with the President this afternoon. In the next few weeks, we are going to see a test of this policy during UNGA in New York,” Gbajabiamila said. He further warned that any officials without specific UNGA-related duties should not travel to the United States, stating, “If you have no business at the UN General Assembly, do not step foot in America, and this is a directive from Mr. President.”
The Chief of Staff also urged heads of agencies at the retreat to adhere strictly to this directive, reinforcing the President’s commitment to listening to and addressing the concerns of Nigerians.
On the broader context of the retreat, Honourable Gbajabiamila explained that it aims to enhance collaboration and coordination among government agencies, particularly those directly overseen by the State House. The retreat, themed “Strengthening Institutional Mechanism for Effective Delivery,” is part of ongoing efforts to ensure that government functions align with statutes, regulations, policy decisions, and presidential directives.
Gbajabiamila emphasised the importance of compliance with various laws and regulations, including the Public Procurement Act, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Act, the Finance Act, and civil service rules. He called on the State House management and agency leaders to lead by example in upholding these standards to ensure effective governance.
The retreat, he noted, will be a continuous exercise, reflecting the evolving nature of governance and the need for regular adjustments to meet the expectations of the Nigerian people.