Federal Gov’t Moves To Save N24bn From Air Travels By Officials

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to cutting down on the high cost of official air travels across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) through the full implementation of the BisonFly Project, a cost-optimisation initiative introduced by the Ministry of Finance.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja during a meeting with stakeholders responsible for the project’s execution. He was represented by the permanent secretary, special duties, Mr. Raymond Omenka Omachi.

Edun underscored the urgency of the initiative, stressing the need for timely implementation and measurable outcomes.

He explained that the project has the potential to save the government between N18 billion and N24 billion annually through discounted airfares, adding that it would significantly reduce overhead costs in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and ongoing fiscal reforms.

“Project BisonFly directly supports our commitment to prudent financial management. By coordinating travel and securing discounted rates, we are using the government’s collective bargaining power to cut expenditure and improve service delivery, just as global institutions like the World Bank have done successfully,” the Minister stated.

According to him, the BisonFly Project is a strategic, technology-driven initiative designed to streamline official air travels by integrating centralized digital booking platforms across MDAs.

That, he said, would not only deliver cost efficiency but also ensure greater transparency and accountability in government expenditure.

The Finance Ministry noted that by adopting global best practices and leveraging technology, the project would bring about efficiency in official travel management, thereby freeing up resources for other critical national development needs.

Beyond financial savings, Edun said the initiative is expected to promote a culture of accountability within the public service, improve productivity, and contribute to broader economic growth.

He added that with successful implementation, the project would also support job creation in the aviation and ICT sectors, while strengthening confidence in Nigeria’s fiscal management framework.

The Ministry assured that all relevant stakeholders would be carried along to ensure the sustainability of the project and the full realization of its objectives.