President Bola Tinubu on Monday barred government officials without direct participation in UNGA’s official schedule of activities from traveling for the event.

This was contained in a statement by the Presidency.

According to the statement, Tinubu directed the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to freeze the processing of visas the officials that won’t be participating directly at the event.

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“To prevent any sharp practice in this regard, the US Mission in Nigeria is accordingly guided on official visa processing while Nigeria’s Permanent Mission in New York is further directed to prevent and stop the accreditation of any government official who is not placed on the protocol lists forwarded by the approving authority.

“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 statement read.

In the past, Nigerians have complained about the number of government officials that travel to the UNGA, especially as such trip is being financed with taxpayers money.

Former president Muhammadu Buhari went to the UNGA with his daughters, generating much ourcry from Nigerians.