FG Aims for ₦18–24 Billion Annual Savings with New BisonFly Air Travel Initiative

The Federal Government has unveiled an innovative cost-saving strategy through the launch of the BisonFly Project, targeting annual savings of between ₦18 billion and ₦24 billion via discounted fares on official air travel. This ambitious initiative, developed by the Ministry of Finance, is structured around a centralized, technology-enabled booking platform designed to streamline travel arrangements for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) The Nation Newspaper.

During a stakeholder meeting in Abuja, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, underscored the importance of swift and effective implementation. He urged the dedicated project team to firmly deliver on goals aimed at reducing overheads for official travel across the civil service The Nation Newspaper. Represented by Permanent Secretary (Special Duties), Mr. Raymond Omenka Omachi, the Ministry reaffirmed that BisonFly aligns with the administration’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” and broader fiscal and tax reform policies The Nation Newspaper.

At its core, BisonFly employs digital booking tools and a centralized platform that enables bulk fare negotiations, bolsters transparency, and enhances efficiency in official travel planning. The initiative leverages the government’s collective bargaining power, emulating cost-saving models seen in global institutions like the World Bank, to secure lower fares and strengthen financial discipline The Nation NewspaperFederal Ministry of InformationNairametrics.

Proponents stress that beyond immediate monetary savings, the BisonFly Project is poised to yield broader benefits: cultivating a culture of accountability in public service, improving productivity, generating economic activity, and fostering job creation within the implementation ecosystem The Nation Newspaper.

The Efficiency Unit of the Ministry of Finance, in conjunction with ICT experts and relevant stakeholders, developed the platform. A dedicated implementation team has been tasked to ensure punctual rollout and achievement of measurable outcomes. Transparency and accountability are central to the project’s ethos, with digital tools enabling close monitoring and oversight The Nation NewspaperNairametrics.

In launching BisonFly, the government underscores its commitment to prudent financial management. By centralizing travel coordination and tapping into collective bargaining, the initiative demonstrates how technological innovation can optimize public sector spending without compromising service delivery.

If realized, the projected ₦18–24 billion in annual savings will free up considerable fiscal space for other development priorities and reinforce Nigeria’s broader public sector reform agenda. BisonFly could set a powerful precedent for similar cost-reduction models across different areas of government operations.