Wale Edun, minister of finance (centre) in a group photograph with the project’s team after its inauguration in Abuja on April 17, 2025
The federal government says it will launch an initiative to reduce air travel costs for the federal civil service through a structured, technology-driven discount programme.
The ministry of finance announced the development on Thursday in a statement by Mohammed Manga, its director of information and public relations.
Wale Edun, minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, was said to have inaugurated the project team in Abuja on Thursday.
According to the statement, the initiative, tagged, ‘BisonFly Project’, reflects the government’s commitment to achieving cost savings on all air travel.
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“The system will integrate digital booking tools and centralized platforms, ensuring transparency and efficiency in official travel arrangements. It is expected to go live in the coming months,” the statement reads.
Manga said the project, developed by the ministry’s efficiency unit in collaboration with ICT advisers and key stakeholders, will be overseen by a dedicated implementation team to ensure timely rollout and measurable results.
He said the minister charged the team with the full delivery of the initiative, underscoring the critical importance and urgency of achieving its objectives.
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The director said the project aligns with the government’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and public sector reform, supporting its broader goals of enhancing efficiency and accountability in public sector operations.
“It represents a significant step towards achieving fiscal discipline and improving public sector efficiency in Nigeria,” he said.
“The project’s innovative approach on cost efficiency and transparency positions it to significantly enhance government operations and serve as a benchmark for future initiatives.”
Speaking on the project, Edun described it as a strategic move designed by the ministry to reduce air travel costs across federal ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) through a centralised, technology-enabled system.
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The minister also emphasised the importance of institutional reform in achieving sustainable cost savings.
“Project BisonFly directly supports our commitment to prudent financial management,” her said.
“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.”
On his part, Raymond Omenka Omachi, the permanent secretary of special duties at the ministry, commended Edun’s leadership and vision, calling the initiative a model for fiscal responsibility across the public service and beyond.
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