FG Tightens Foreign Travel Rules for Ministers, DGs, Appointees

The Federal Government has directed ministers, heads of ministries, departments and agencies, and other government appointees to obtain prior approval from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation before embarking on official foreign trips.

The government also directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make evidence of valid approval from the OSGF a mandatory requirement for processing official travel documents, including official, diplomatic and service visas for government appointees.

The directive was contained in a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and addressed to ministers, permanent secretaries, heads of government agencies and other senior officials.

The move comes amid increased 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.

The controversy has raised concerns over how individuals claiming government affiliation could undertake engagements, including foreign activities, without clear evidence of official authorisation.

However, the latest directive applies broadly to Federal Government appointees and is not limited to the controversy surrounding the purported council.

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 that some officials continued to embark on foreign trips without obtaining the required clearance.

The SGF recalled that successive administrations had issued several circulars regulating official foreign travel by ministers, heads of government agencies, boards, committees and other public officials.

According to the circular, the measures were introduced to promote accountability, fiscal discipline and effective coordination of government business.

The referenced directives include circulars issued in 2012, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2023 on official foreign travel and cost control measures for ministers and senior government officials.

Despite the existing regulations, Akume said cases of non compliance had persisted.

The circular warned that unauthorised foreign travel could undermine government efforts to ensure proper coordination, transparency, accountability, prudent management of public resources and effective monitoring of official engagements conducted on behalf of Nigeria.

The government therefore reaffirmed that all official foreign trips by Federal Government appointees must receive prior approval from the OSGF, except where otherwise provided by law or through a specific presidential directive.

The requirement, according to the SGF, is consistent with the principles of due process, centralised coordination of government business and prudent management of public resources.

As part of the new measures, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was directed to require 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 foreign missions and embassies accredited to Nigeria.

Under the new arrangement, applications for official, diplomatic or service visas by government appointees are expected to be accompanied, where applicable, by duly issued OSGF travel approval.

The Office of the Auditor General for the Federation was also directed to monitor compliance during audit exercises.

Government appointees who undertake official foreign trips at public expense will be required to produce evidence of the necessary OSGF approval during audits.

The government further warned that expenditure incurred on unauthorised foreign trips would be subjected to scrutiny in line with existing financial regulations and audit procedures.

Accounting officers, permanent secretaries, chief executive officers and heads of Federal Government agencies were consequently directed to ensure that public funds are not processed for official foreign travel unless the required OSGF approval has been obtained.

Akume directed all ministers, permanent secretaries, accounting officers and heads of ministries, departments and agencies to ensure strict compliance with the circular, which takes immediate effect.

The directive was circulated to a wide range of senior government officials and institutions, including the Chief of Staff to the President, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Vice President, ministers, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, National Security Adviser, service chiefs and the Inspector General of Police.

Others include the Central Bank of Nigeria, Federal Civil Service Commission, Police Service Commission, Code of Conduct Bureau, Code of Conduct Tribunal, Federal Character Commission, Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Federal Inland Revenue Service and Independent National Electoral Commission.

The list also covers the National Population Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, National Assembly, Supreme Court, Accountant General for the Federation, Auditor General for the Federation and heads of government owned companies and agencies.

The development comes against the backdrop of investigations into the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and its self styled Director General, Adeyemi, over allegations relating to impersonation and the use of questionable government documents.

The latest directive, however, does not specifically mention the purported council or Adeyemi. Instead, it establishes a general approval and verification process for official foreign engagements by government appointees.

By requiring the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and foreign missions to verify OSGF approval, the government is seeking to strengthen oversight of officials travelling abroad on government business.

The financial provisions also link approval for official foreign trips to accountability for public expenditure, with accounting officers barred from processing related expenses without the required authorisation.

The government expects the measures to reduce unauthorised foreign travel, strengthen oversight of public funds and ensure that officials representing Nigeria abroad have the necessary government approval.