Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu has directed a reduction in the size of Nigeria’s official delegation to the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meetings in New York.
Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale announced on Saturday that the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, revealed this during a one-day retreat organized by the State House management for heads of government agencies under its supervision in Abuja.
Gbajabiamila emphasized the importance of the State House and its agencies adhering to statutes, regulations, policy decisions, and presidential directives to ensure efficient service delivery in government operations.
“I just discussed with the President this afternoon. In the next few weeks, we will see a test of this policy during UNGA in New York,” Gbajabiamila stated.
He highlighted that recent protests had raised concerns about the high cost of governance, with many anticipating whether Nigeria would, as in the past, send a large delegation to UNGA.
“From experience, we know that some individuals use such international meetings to pursue personal interests,” he added. “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.”
The Chief of Staff urged agency heads at the retreat to comply strictly with this directive, stressing that the President is attentive to the concerns of Nigerians and is committed to addressing them responsibly.
