President Bola Tinubu has ordered his Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, to implement significant cost-cutting measures, including reducing the size of Nigeria’s official delegation to the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meetings in New York, United States.
Gbajabiamila revealed this directive on Saturday during a one-day retreat themed ‘Strengthening Institutional Mechanism for Effective Delivery’, organized by the State House management for heads of government agencies under its supervision in Abuja. The retreat focused on ensuring efficient service delivery and adherence to statutory regulations across government operations.
In his address, the Chief of Staff emphasized that the decision to streamline Nigeria’s delegation to the 79th session of UNGA in September reflects the administration’s commitment to prudent resource management and reducing the cost of governance. According to a statement by presidential spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale, Gbajabiamila noted that this move is in direct response to recent public concerns over government expenditure.
“I have received a directive from Mr. President that this time, we will be strict. If you have no business at the UN General Assembly, do not step foot in America, and this is a directive from Mr. President,” Gbajabiamila stated, highlighting the administration’s seriousness about cutting unnecessary expenses.
He further urged heads of agencies present at the retreat to comply with the directive, noting that the President is keenly aware of the expectations of Nigerians and is committed to addressing their concerns.
Gbajabiamila also emphasized the importance of coordination among government agencies, particularly those under the direct supervision of the State House, to ensure the successful implementation of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He reiterated that compliance with various statutory requirements, including the Public Procurement Act, Finance Act, and civil service rules, is non-negotiable.
The retreat is part of an ongoing effort to enhance governance by regularly adjusting and refining the operational mechanisms of government institutions.
