Tinubu budget cuts to save over N30billion on travels, others

By Samuel Ogunsona

President Bola Tinubu’s bold initiative to cut cost of governance is expected to save up to N30b for the Federal Government

The President on had earlier announced 60% cut in travels and other allowances in response to the dwindling national economy.

Figures contained in the 2024 Appropriation Bill presented to the country’s National Assembly for approval indicated that the office of the President and the Vice President are subjected to spend N15.96billion on local and international travels for the year 2024.

Amidst the economic downturn in the country, the president announced a 60 percent reduction on official travel delegates.

Officials of the Presidency who spoke to Irohinoodha said no fewer than N30b will be save by Nigeria in one year including savings from travels in all the MDAs

The move is part of the presidency’s effort to cut down the cost of governance

Irohinodua analysis shows that Tinubu is expected to save about N9.579b from local and international travel expenditure alone for the year 2024.

The analysis shows that with 60 percent reduction of N15.96billion, a savings of over N9billion Naira would be made from the office of the President and his Vice

On international trips the President has directed that no more than 20 individuals be allowed to travel with him.

That number will be cut down to five in the case of the First Lady. Additionally, the number in the entourage on official international trips for the Vice President will be cut to five, the number that will be placed as a limit on the wife of the Vice President is also five.

In terms of local trips, the President has approved a new limit of 25 members of staff to accompany him on domestic trips within the country.

The Office of the First Lady is now limited to 10 staff members to accompany her on official trips within the country. The Vice President will be limited to 15 members of staff on official trips within the country, while his wife will be limited to 10 members of staff on officials within the country, the same as the first lady.

However, according to the presidency 2024 budget of N27 trillion, which was presented on November 29, 2023, the appropriation bill for his travel cost amount to N8 Billion for the President and Vice-President.

According to expert analysis, N638.5 million will be spent on local travel and transport, while international trips will gulp N6.9 billion.

The 2023 budget analysed shows that the President and the Vice President will spend N2.49 billion and N846 million respectively on local and international travels.