The Federal Government has directed ministers, security chiefs, heads of government agencies and other senior 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, issued 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 official foreign engagements.
The government also directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make proof of valid OSGF approval a requirement, where applicable, for processing official visas, diplomatic facilitation and Notes Verbales for government appointees travelling abroad.
The directive was contained in a circular 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.”
Akume said the government had observed that some federal appointees continued to embark on official foreign assignments without obtaining the required approval, despite existing regulations governing such trips.
According to the circular, several directives have previously been issued to regulate foreign travel by ministers, heads of ministries, departments and agencies, boards, committees and other public officials.
The government referenced previous circulars issued in 2012, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2023, all designed to promote fiscal prudence, accountability and proper coordination of official foreign travels.
Despite these measures, the SGF said cases of non-compliance had continued.
He warned that unauthorised foreign trips could undermine efforts to ensure transparency, accountability and prudent management of public resources.
The government therefore reaffirmed that all official foreign trips by federal appointees must receive prior OSGF approval, except where an exemption is provided by law or through a specific presidential directive.
The circular explained that the requirement was in line with existing government regulations, including the Public Service Rules and Financial Regulations.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was instructed to ensure that evidence of OSGF approval is presented before processing requests for official Notes Verbales, diplomatic assistance and other documentation relating to foreign travel by government appointees.
The ministry was also directed to communicate the new requirement to foreign missions and embassies accredited to Nigeria.
The government further stated that applications for official, diplomatic or service visas by government appointees should, where applicable, include duly issued OSGF travel approval among the required supporting documents.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation has been mandated to monitor compliance with the directive during audit exercises.
Government appointees who undertake official foreign trips at public expense may be required to provide evidence of the necessary OSGF approval during audits.
The directive also places responsibility on accounting officers, permanent secretaries, chief executive officers and heads of federal agencies to ensure that public funds are not released for unauthorised official foreign travel.
The SGF directed all ministers, ministers of state, permanent secretaries, accounting officers and heads of ministries, departments and agencies to comply with the directive immediately.
The circular stated that it would supersede any administrative practice inconsistent with its provisions while remaining subject to existing regulations governing official foreign travel.
Those addressed by the directive include 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.
Also covered are the Chief of Defence Staff, service chiefs, Inspector-General of Police, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, heads of federal commissions and major regulatory and security agencies.
The recipients further include the chairmen of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Federal Inland Revenue Service and other federal institutions.
Permanent secretaries, heads of extra-ministerial departments, the Clerk of the National Assembly, Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Accountant-General of the Federation, Auditor-General for the Federation and heads of government-owned companies and parastatals were also listed among those expected to comply.
READ ALSO:
- ZENITH BANK SET TO HOST SIXTH EDITION OF ANNUAL TECH FAIR
- Senate Orders Probe Of Travel Agencies Over Trafficking Of Nigerians In Libya
- 37 suspected miners died of overcrowding and heat in NSCDC cell, Kure-led panel finds
- New book maps path from Nigerian laboratories to markets, with 10-year road map
- MTN Explains Why Nigerians’ Data Finishes Quickly, Denies Stealing Subscribers’ Data
