President Bola Tinubu has recently issued an essential directive aimed at significantly reducing the size of Nigeria’s official delegation that will attend the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meetings scheduled to take place in New York, United States. This important directive was formally disclosed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, during a one-day retreat held on Saturday in Abuja. The retreat was specifically organized by the State House management for the heads of various government agencies that operate under its supervision.
During his address to the participants at the retreat, Chief of Staff Gbajabiamila emphasized that this decision to streamline Nigeria’s delegation for the 79th session of the UNGA, which is set to occur in September, aligns with the administration’s overarching commitment to ensure prudent and effective management of governmental resources. Additionally, it reflects an effort to reduce the overall cost of governance, which has been a point of concern among many Nigerians. Through this initiative, the administration aims to demonstrate accountability and a commitment to applying fiscal responsibility in governmental dealings.
Honourable Gbajabiamila highlighted the pressing need for the State House as well as the various agencies that fall under its supervision to ensure that their functions are consistently aligned with relevant statutes, regulations, policy decisions, and presidential directives. He also hinted at the potential for forthcoming policy announcements which are aimed at ensuring and enhancing efficient service delivery in the operations of government as a whole. These measures are designed to create a more responsive and transparent government that meets the needs of the citizens.
In a statement made on Saturday night, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, quoted the Chief of Staff as saying, “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.” He continued by reflecting on recent public sentiments raised during protests that spoke to the urgent need for a reduction in the cost of governance. Gbajabiamila pointed out that there is considerable public anticipation surrounding whether Nigeria will, as in previous years, send what has often been referred to as the ‘largest delegation’ to the UNGA.
From past experiences, it is well understood that some individuals have often utilized the occasion of such prominent international meetings to pursue their personal interests, rather than focusing on national matters. Thus, in light of this, the Chief of Staff reiterated the directive received from President Tinubu, stating firmly, “If you have no business at the UN General Assembly, do not step foot in America, and this is a directive from Mr. President.” He underscored the importance of adherence to this directive, urging the heads of the relevant agencies present at the retreat to comply without exception. Honourable Gbajabiamila assured them that the President is indeed listening to the concerns of Nigerians and is fully committed to addressing these issues with diligence and seriousness.
On the subject of the retreat itself, Honourable Gbajabiamila noted that the event was not just a one-off initiative, but rather a platform designed to facilitate ongoing collaboration and coordination among the various government agencies, especially those that operate under the direct supervision of the State House. This gathering served as a productive environment for the exchange of ideas and strategies aimed at enhancing governmental operations.
He remarked that the overarching idea behind this retreat is to ensure coherence among the agencies as they jointly work together to achieve the critical objectives outlined in President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. “Coordination is not just a choice but a necessity for the government to succeed and for us to meet the expectations of the Nigerian people,” he stated, reinforcing the concept of collaboration in governance.
Gbajabiamila emphasized that the retreat would evolve into a continuous exercise, noting that governance is an ever-evolving process that necessitates regular adjustments in approach and strategy. As such, he called upon the State House management and the chief executives of the various agencies under its supervision to serve as role models by ensuring their strict compliance with all relevant statutes, laws, regulations, and policies that have been established to enhance governance efficiency.
He articulated the need to demonstrate excellence and integrity in adhering to the Public Procurement Act, the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Act, the Finance Act, and several appropriation acts currently in operation. Honourable Gbajabiamila further stressed that compliance with civil service rules and adherence to the scheme of service guidelines—especially with respect to recruitment, promotion, and necessary presidential approvals—remains a non-negotiable aspect of governance. The overarching theme of the one-day retreat was aptly titled ‘Strengthening Institutional Mechanism for Effective Delivery,’ symbolizing a foundational commitment to improving the efficacy of government operations in Nigeria.
