The Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu 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 directive, contained in a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, takes immediate effect.
The government also instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make proof of valid OSGF approval a requirement for processing official visas, diplomatic facilitation and other travel-related documents for government appointees.
The circular said the decision followed repeated cases of officials travelling abroad for official engagements without obtaining the required clearance.
“It has been observed with concern that some Federal Government Appointees continue to embark on official foreign trips without obtaining prior approval from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF),” the circular stated.
According to the SGF, successive administrations had issued guidelines regulating official foreign travels to promote accountability, fiscal discipline and proper coordination of government activities.
Despite these measures, Akume said non-compliance had continued, undermining efforts to properly manage public resources.
“This trend undermines Government’s efforts to ensure proper coordination, accountability, transparency, prudent management of public resources and effective monitoring of official foreign engagements undertaken on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria,” he said.
The government consequently reaffirmed that all official foreign trips by federal appointees must receive prior OSGF clearance, except where the law or a specific presidential directive provides otherwise.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was directed to demand evidence of approval before processing Notes Verbales, diplomatic facilitation and official, diplomatic or service visa applications for government appointees.
It was also instructed to notify foreign missions and embassies in Nigeria about the new requirement.
“Applications for Official, Diplomatic or Service Visas by Government Appointees should, where applicable, be accompanied by duly issued OSGF travel approval as part of the mandatory supporting documentation,” the circular stated.
The directive further empowers the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation to demand proof of OSGF approval during audit exercises involving foreign trips funded with public money.
Accounting officers, permanent secretaries and heads of government agencies were equally instructed not to approve expenditure for official foreign travel where the required clearance had not been obtained.
“No expenditure relating to official foreign travel by government appointees is processed unless the requisite OSGF approval has first been obtained,” the government directed.
The circular was copied to the Presidency, ministers, permanent secretaries, security chiefs, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the National Assembly, the judiciary and heads of several federal commissions and agencies.
The SGF said the directive takes immediate effect and supersedes any administrative practice inconsistent with its provisions.
