The Federal Government has tightened the rules governing official foreign trips, directing ministers, heads of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and other government appointees to obtain prior approval from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) before travelling abroad on official assignments.
The directive, contained in a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, takes immediate effect and is aimed at strengthening accountability, fiscal discipline and coordination of government business.
Under the new directive, government appointees are not permitted to embark on official foreign trips without the required clearance, except where an exemption is provided by law or through a specific presidential directive.
The government said the measure became necessary because some officials had continued to travel abroad on official assignments without obtaining the required approval, despite several existing directives regulating foreign trips by public officials.
The circular recalled previous guidelines issued in 2012, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2023 to regulate official overseas travel by ministers, agency heads, board members, committee chairmen and other public officials.
Despite these measures, the SGF said cases of non-compliance had continued.
According to the government, unauthorised official trips could undermine transparency, proper coordination and the prudent management of public resources.
One of the major changes under the latest directive is the involvement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The ministry has been directed to make evidence of valid OSGF approval a mandatory requirement, where applicable, when processing official Notes Verbales, diplomatic facilitation and applications relating to official foreign travel by government appointees.
Foreign missions and embassies accredited to Nigeria are also to be informed of the new requirement and advised to request evidence of the necessary approval when processing official, diplomatic or service visas for government officials.
The directive also places greater emphasis on how public money is spent on foreign trips.
The Auditor-General for the Federation has been directed to require government appointees who travelled abroad at public expense to produce evidence of the required OSGF approval during audit exercises.
The government warned that money spent on unauthorised official foreign trips could be subjected to scrutiny under existing financial and audit regulations.
Accounting officers, permanent secretaries, chief executive officers and heads of Federal Government agencies have consequently been directed not to process expenditure relating to official foreign travel unless the required approval has first been obtained.
The directive covers a broad range of government officials and institutions, including ministers, permanent secretaries, security chiefs, heads of agencies, regulatory bodies, anti-corruption agencies and government-owned companies.
The government has therefore made it clear that travelling abroad in an official capacity is not simply a matter for an individual government appointee to decide.
The necessary clearance must be obtained before the trip, while the use of public funds for such journeys must also comply with existing financial regulations.
The latest move comes amid increased scrutiny of individuals and organisations claiming to represent the Federal Government in international engagements. However, the circular applies generally to government appointees and is not limited to any particular individual or organisation.
The Federal Government said the directive is part of efforts to ensure that official foreign engagements are properly authorised, coordinated and monitored, while public resources are used responsibly.
All ministers, permanent secretaries, accounting officers and heads of MDAs have consequently been directed to ensure strict compliance with the new requirement.
The directive takes immediate effect and supersedes any administrative practice that is inconsistent with its provisions, without prejudice to existing laws and regulations governing official foreign travel.
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