morganable politics/Governance
The circular underscores growing concern within the government over repeated violations of existing travel guidelines and the implications for governance and public accountability
KaNo—
The Federal Government has introduced stricter controls on official foreign travel by ministers, heads of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), and other political appointees, in a move aimed at strengthening accountability and curbing unauthorised engagements carried out in the name of Nigeria.
Under the new directive, all government appointees are now required to obtain prior approval from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) before embarking on any official trip abroad.
In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been mandated to demand evidence of such approval as a precondition for processing official travel documents, including diplomatic and service visas.
The directive was conveyed in a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and addressed to ministers, permanent secretaries, and heads of federal institutions.
Directive Follows Scrutiny Over Fake Agency
The latest move follows heightened scrutiny triggered by a recent controversy involving a self-styled Director-General of a purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi.
The individual allegedly conducted engagements both locally and internationally while claiming to represent the Federal Government, raising questions about gaps in oversight and the ease with which unauthorised persons can project official status.
According to the circular, the government has observed “with concern” that some appointees continue to embark on foreign trips without securing the mandatory clearance from the OSGF, in violation of established administrative procedures.
“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, contrary to extant government directives,” the circular stated.
The SGF noted that several guidelines have been issued over the years to regulate official travel, including circulars released in 2012, 2015, 2017, 2018, and as recently as September 18, 2023.
Directive To Promote Fiscal Discipline
These directives were designed to promote fiscal discipline, ensure proper coordination of government activities, and prevent abuse of public resources.
“Despite these directives, instances of non-compliance continue to be recorded,” the circular said, warning that such practices undermine transparency, accountability, and effective coordination of government business.
The government emphasised that the requirement for prior approval remains mandatory for all official foreign trips, except in cases where exemptions are explicitly provided by law or by a specific presidential directive.
“This requirement is consistent with the principles of due process, centralised coordination of government business and prudent management of public resources,” the SGF stated, referencing provisions in the Public Service Rules (2021 Edition) and the Financial Regulations.
Ministry Moves To Ensure Compliance
As part of immediate compliance measures, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been directed to incorporate proof of OSGF approval into its documentation requirements for official travel.
This includes applications for Notes Verbales, diplomatic facilitation, and all visa-related processes involving government appointees.
The ministry has also been tasked with notifying foreign embassies and missions accredited to Nigeria of the new requirement.
This step effectively extends the enforcement mechanism beyond Nigeria’s borders, enabling foreign governments to verify the legitimacy of official travel requests submitted by Nigerian officials.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall include evidence of valid OSGF approval as a mandatory requirement in the processing of requests for official Notes Verbales, diplomatic facilitation and all applications relating to official foreign travel,” the circular directed.
It further instructed the ministry to formally communicate the policy to all foreign missions, advising that visa applications by Nigerian government officials must be accompanied by valid OSGF approval.
In addition to external verification, the government has strengthened internal accountability mechanisms.
The Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation has been mandated to enforce compliance during audit exercises by requiring officials to present evidence of approval for any foreign trip undertaken at public expense.
“Every government appointee who undertook an official foreign trip at public expense shall be required to produce evidence of the requisite OSGF approval during audit exercises,” the circular stated.
The directive also warned that any expenditure incurred on unauthorised foreign travel would be flagged and subjected to appropriate sanctions under existing financial regulations.
“Any expenditure incurred in respect of official foreign travel undertaken without the required approval shall be reported appropriately in accordance with extant Financial Regulations and applicable audit procedures,” it added.
Furthermore, the responsibility for ensuring compliance has been extended to accounting officers, permanent secretaries, and heads of government institutions.
These officials are now explicitly barred from processing or approving funds for any foreign trip that lacks the necessary clearance.
“Accounting Officers, Permanent Secretaries, Chief Executive Officers and Heads of Federal Government Agencies shall ensure that no expenditure relating to official foreign travel is processed unless the requisite OSGF approval has first been obtained,” the directive emphasised.
SGF Directs Authorities To Ensure Strict Compliance
The SGF concluded by directing all relevant officials to ensure strict adherence to the new measures, signalling the government’s intent to enforce discipline across all levels of public administration.
Analysts say the renewed enforcement reflects a broader push by the Federal Government to tighten governance systems, reduce waste, and restore public confidence in official processes.
The combination of stricter documentation requirements, international verification, and audit enforcement is expected to close loopholes that have previously allowed irregularities to persist.
However, some observers note that the effectiveness of the directive will depend largely on consistent implementation and the willingness of institutions to enforce sanctions where violations occur.
