• Foreign missions ordered to demand OSGF clearance before processing official visas
• Public funds for unauthorised trips to face audit scrutiny
The Federal Government has tightened regulations on official foreign travels, 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 embarking on official trips abroad.
The government also directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make evidence of valid OSGF approval a mandatory requirement for processing official travel documents, including official, diplomatic and service visas for government appointees.
The directive, contained in a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, takes immediate effect.
The move comes amid heightened scrutiny of individuals and organisations claiming to represent the Federal Government, following the controversy surrounding the self-styled Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi.
However, the new directive applies generally to Federal Government appointees and is not limited to the controversy surrounding the purported agency.
The 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,” said the government had observed continued breaches of existing regulations on official foreign travel.
“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), contrary to extant government directives and established administrative procedures regulating official travels outside the country,” the SGF stated.
Akume recalled several previous circulars issued to regulate official foreign travel by ministers, heads of MDAs, boards, committees and other public officials.
He said the measures were aimed at promoting accountability, fiscal discipline and effective coordination of government business.
Despite the previous directives, the SGF said cases of non-compliance had persisted, undermining efforts to ensure transparency, accountability and prudent management of public resources.
The government therefore reaffirmed that all official foreign trips by government appointees must receive prior OSGF approval, except where otherwise provided by law or specific presidential directive.
As part of the new enforcement measures, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was directed to demand evidence of OSGF approval when processing requests for official Notes Verbales, diplomatic facilitation and applications relating to official foreign travel.
The ministry was also instructed to communicate the requirement to all foreign missions and embassies accredited to Nigeria.
According to the directive, applications for official, diplomatic or service visas by government appointees should, where applicable, be accompanied by duly issued OSGF travel approval.
The Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation was also mandated to monitor compliance during audit exercises.
The circular directed that every government appointee who undertook an official foreign trip at public expense must produce evidence of the required OSGF approval when requested during audits.
It further warned that expenditure incurred on unauthorised foreign trips would be subjected to scrutiny in line with financial regulations and applicable audit procedures.
Accounting officers, permanent secretaries, chief executive officers and heads of Federal Government agencies were consequently directed not to process expenditure relating to official foreign travel unless the requisite OSGF approval had first been obtained.
“All Honourable Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Accounting Officers and Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies are hereby directed to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of this Circular,” the SGF stated.
The directive was addressed to a wide range of senior government officials, including ministers, permanent secretaries, security chiefs, heads of regulatory and anti-corruption agencies, electoral bodies, financial institutions and government-owned companies.
Recipients include the Chief of Staff to the President, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Vice President, National Security Adviser, service chiefs, Inspector-General of Police, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, among others.
The directive also covers the Clerk of the National Assembly, Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Accountant-General of the Federation, Auditor-General for the Federation, directors-general and chief executives of parastatals, agencies and government-owned companies.
The government said the new measures were intended to strengthen control over official foreign engagements, reduce unauthorised travel and ensure that officials representing Nigeria abroad have the necessary approval.
The circular takes immediate effect and supersedes any administrative practice inconsistent with its provisions, without prejudice to existing regulations governing official foreign travel.
