Federal Government Bars Ministers, Security Chiefs, Agency Heads From Foreign Trips Without SGF Approval

Newslens NG reports that the Federal Government has directed ministers, security chiefs, heads of ministries, departments and agencies, as well as 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 directive, contained in a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, takes immediate effect and is aimed at strengthening coordination, accountability and compliance with established procedures governing official foreign travel.

The government said it had observed continued cases of government officials embarking on official foreign trips without obtaining the required approval from the OSGF, despite existing guidelines regulating such journeys.

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,” reaffirmed that government officials must secure the necessary clearance before travelling abroad on official assignments.

Under the new directive, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been instructed to make evidence of valid OSGF approval a mandatory requirement, where applicable, for the processing of official, diplomatic and service visas for government appointees undertaking official foreign trips.

The ministry is also expected to communicate the new requirement to Nigerian missions abroad and foreign diplomatic missions accredited to Nigeria.

This means that government officials seeking official visas for foreign assignments will be required to present the appropriate OSGF approval as part of the documentation supporting their applications.

The Federal Government said the measure was necessary to ensure proper coordination of international engagements, prevent unauthorised travels and promote prudent management of public resources.

According to the circular, successive administrations have issued guidelines governing official foreign trips by ministers, heads of government agencies, board members and other public officials. However, the government expressed concern that some officials had continued to disregard the established procedures.

The government warned that such non-compliance could undermine transparency, accountability, effective coordination and the proper monitoring of international engagements undertaken on behalf of Nigeria.

The directive also places responsibility on accounting officers, permanent secretaries, chief executive officers and heads of government agencies to ensure that public funds are not released for official foreign trips unless the requisite approval has been obtained.

The Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation is similarly expected to monitor compliance as part of its audit responsibilities.

Government officials who undertake foreign trips at public expense may be required to produce evidence of the necessary OSGF approval during audit exercises. Expenditure incurred on unauthorised official foreign trips will also be subjected to scrutiny in accordance with existing financial regulations and audit procedures.

The directive covers a wide range of senior government officials, including ministers and ministers of state, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the National Security Adviser, service chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and other presidential appointees.

Heads of major government institutions and agencies, including regulatory, security, electoral and anti-corruption bodies, are also covered by the directive.

Among those affected are the leadership 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 National Population Commission, among others.

Permanent secretaries, directors-general, chief executives of government agencies and heads of extra-ministerial departments are also required to comply with the new directive.

The Federal Government stressed that the requirement is subject to existing laws, public service regulations and any specific presidential directives that may provide otherwise.

The latest measure is expected to give the government greater oversight of official international engagements, reduce unnecessary expenditure on foreign trips and ensure that public officials travelling on behalf of Nigeria do so with proper authorisation.

The government has consequently directed all concerned officials and institutions to ensure strict compliance with the new rule.