The Federal Government has introduced stricter controls on official foreign travel by ministers, heads of government agencies and other appointees, requiring them to obtain prior clearance from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) before travelling abroad on official assignments.
Under the new directive, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must also demand evidence of valid OSGF approval before 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 circulated to senior government officials and heads of key Federal Government institutions.
The development comes amid increased scrutiny of individuals and organisations claiming to act on behalf of the Federal Government, following the controversy surrounding Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who reportedly presented himself as the Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
The controversy has raised concerns over how individuals claiming to have government authority can conduct engagements in Nigeria’s name, particularly with foreign institutions.
However, the latest directive applies broadly to Federal Government appointees and is not specifically targeted at the PFIPC or Adeyemi.
Government cites repeated violations
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 continued to observe cases of officials travelling abroad without obtaining the required clearance.
The SGF recalled that successive administrations had issued several directives regulating official foreign trips by ministers, agency heads, board members, committee chairmen and other public officials.
Among the documents referenced were the September 18, 2023 circular on guidelines for official travel by cabinet members, agency heads and public officials; a March 31, 2015 circular covering official trips by chairmen of Federal Government committees, boards and government-owned companies; and a September 27, 2017 circular introducing additional cost-control measures for foreign trips by ministers and senior officials.
The government also referred to circulars issued on March 8, 2018, concerning compliance with regulations on foreign travel by public officials, and November 20, 2012, which addressed cost-cutting and fiscal prudence in official travel.
Despite these previous measures, the SGF said violations of the rules had continued.
According to the government, unauthorised foreign trips undermine efforts to improve accountability, transparency, coordination of government activities and prudent management of public funds.
OSGF approval remains compulsory
The Federal Government has therefore reaffirmed that official foreign travel by its appointees must receive prior OSGF approval.
The requirement will apply unless a particular trip is specifically exempted by law or authorised through a Presidential directive.
The government said the policy is consistent with the principles of due process and centralised coordination of government activities, as provided under the Public Service Rules, 2021, the Financial Regulations (Revised Edition, January 2009) and other applicable government regulations.
As part of the enforcement measures, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been instructed to make proof of OSGF approval a compulsory part of the documentation for official foreign travel.
The ministry is also expected to notify foreign missions and embassies accredited to Nigeria that applications for Official, Diplomatic or Service Visas by government appointees should, where applicable, include the required OSGF travel authorisation.
The measure will give foreign missions an additional way to establish whether a Nigerian government official travelling on official business has received the necessary approval.
Auditor-General to monitor compliance
The Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation has also been tasked with checking compliance during its audit exercises.
Government appointees who travel abroad at public expense will be expected to provide evidence of the appropriate OSGF approval when requested during audits.
The government further warned that expenses incurred on unauthorised foreign trips would be examined in line with existing financial and audit regulations.
Accounting Officers, Permanent Secretaries, Chief Executive Officers and heads of Federal Government agencies have also been instructed not to process public expenditure connected to official foreign travel unless the required OSGF clearance has already been obtained.
Directive covers wide range of officials
The SGF directed ministers, permanent secretaries, accounting officers and heads of ministries, departments and agencies to ensure strict compliance.
The circular takes effect immediately and overrides administrative practices that conflict with its provisions, while leaving other existing regulations on official foreign travel intact.
Recipients 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, as well as special advisers and senior special assistants.
It was also circulated to the Chief of Defence Staff, service chiefs, Inspector-General of Police, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Federal Civil Service Commission, Police Service Commission, Code of Conduct Bureau, Code of Conduct Tribunal and Federal Character Commission.
Other institutions listed include the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Independent National Electoral Commission, National Population Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
The circular further covers 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 chief executives of government-owned companies and agencies.
PFIPC controversy provides backdrop
The directive comes against the background of investigations and concerns surrounding the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and its self-styled Director-General, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi.
The controversy has drawn attention to the need for stronger verification of people and organisations claiming to have authority to represent the Federal Government, particularly when dealing with public institutions and foreign organisations.
However, the new travel directive does not specifically mention the purported PFIPC or Adeyemi.
Instead, it establishes a general framework requiring Federal Government appointees to secure central approval before embarking on official foreign engagements.
By requiring the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to verify OSGF approval during the processing of travel documents, the government is effectively creating an additional layer of authentication for official foreign travel.
The financial provisions also connect travel approval directly to public expenditure, with accounting officers expected to ensure that government funds are not released for unauthorised foreign trips.
The Federal Government says the measures are aimed at improving oversight of official international engagements, reducing unauthorised travel and ensuring that officials representing Nigeria abroad have the appropriate government clearance.
Source: Punch
