The Federal Government has directed ministers, security chiefs, heads of government agencies and other political appointees to obtain prior approval from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) before embarking on official foreign trips.
The government also directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make evidence of valid OSGF approval a mandatory requirement for processing official travel documents, Notes Verbales, diplomatic facilitation and visa applications for government appointees.
The directive was contained in a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and addressed to senior government officials and heads of major Federal Government institutions.
The circular, which takes immediate effect, was issued against the backdrop of concerns over continued non-compliance by some government appointees who embark on official foreign assignments without obtaining the required clearance.
Titled “Non-Compliance by Government Appointees with the Requirement for OSGF Approval for Official Foreign Trips and the Mandatory Inclusion of OSGF Approval in the Processing of Official Visas,” the circular stressed that prior approval remains compulsory for official foreign travels.
The SGF noted that successive administrations had issued several directives regulating official foreign trips by ministers, heads of ministries, departments and agencies, boards, committees and other public officials.
According to the circular, the measures were introduced to promote accountability, fiscal discipline and effective coordination of government business.
Among the directives referenced were the September 18, 2023 circular on “Guidelines for Official Travels by Cabinet Members, Heads of Agencies and Public Officials”; the March 31, 2015 circular on official trips by chairmen of Federal Government committees, boards of corporations and government-owned companies; and the September 27, 2017 circular on additional cost-control measures for foreign trips by ministers and senior government officials.
The government also cited earlier circulars issued on March 8, 2018, and November 20, 2012, concerning compliance with regulations guiding foreign trips and measures aimed at ensuring fiscal prudence in official travel.
Despite these existing regulations, the SGF said cases of non-compliance had continued.
The circular warned that unauthorised foreign trips could undermine government efforts to ensure proper coordination, accountability, transparency and prudent management of public resources.
It further stated that such practices could affect the government’s ability to effectively monitor official foreign engagements undertaken on its behalf.
Foreign Affairs Ministry Gets New Directive
Under the new directive, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is required to verify evidence of valid OSGF approval before processing official travel-related documentation for government appointees.
The ministry is expected to make the approval a mandatory supporting document for requests involving official Notes Verbales, diplomatic facilitation and applications for official, diplomatic or service visas, where applicable.
The ministry has also been directed to formally communicate the requirement to all foreign missions and embassies accredited to Nigeria.
The government said applications for official, diplomatic or service visas by government appointees should, where applicable, be accompanied by duly issued OSGF travel approval.
Auditor-General To Monitor Compliance
The Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation has also been tasked with monitoring compliance during audit exercises.
According to the circular, government appointees who undertake official foreign trips at public expense will be required to produce evidence of the requisite OSGF approval when requested during audits.
The government further warned that public funds spent on unauthorised foreign trips would be subjected to scrutiny.
Accounting Officers To Prevent Unauthorised Spending
The directive places responsibility on accounting officers, permanent secretaries, chief executive officers and heads of Federal Government agencies to ensure that public funds are not released for unauthorised official foreign travel.
The circular specifically directed that no expenditure relating to an official foreign trip by a government appointee should be processed unless the required OSGF approval had first been obtained.
The SGF consequently directed all ministers, permanent secretaries, accounting officers and heads of ministries, departments and agencies to ensure strict compliance.
The directive takes immediate effect and supersedes any administrative practice inconsistent with its provisions, while remaining subject to existing laws and regulations governing official foreign travel.
The circular was addressed to senior officials including the Chief of Staff to the President, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Vice President, ministers and ministers of state, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, National Security Adviser, Economic Adviser to the President, special advisers and senior special assistants.
It was also addressed to the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, Inspector-General of Police, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and heads of several key Federal Government institutions, including the Federal Civil Service Commission, Police Service Commission, Code of Conduct Bureau, Code of Conduct Tribunal, Federal Character Commission, Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Independent National Electoral Commission, National Population Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
Other recipients include all permanent secretaries and heads of extra-ministerial departments, the Clerk of the National Assembly, Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Accountant-General of the Federation, Auditor-General for the Federation, as well as directors-general and chief executives of government parastatals, agencies and government-owned companies.
