The directive, contained in a new circular, follows growing concerns over instances where some Government Appointees undertake official foreign engagements without securing the requisite approval from the OSGF, in violation of established Government procedures.

The Government noted that several circulars and directives issued over the years were designed to regulate foreign travels by Cabinet Members, Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Boards, Committees and other Public Officials in order to promote accountability, fiscal discipline and effective coordination of Government activities.

Despite these existing regulations, the circular observed that non-compliance persists, undermining efforts to ensure transparency, prudent management of public resources and effective monitoring of official engagements undertaken on behalf of the Federal Government.

Accordingly, all official foreign trips by Federal Government Appointees will continue to require prior approval from the OSGF, except where otherwise expressly provided by law or through a specific Presidential directive.

As part of measures to strengthen enforcement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been directed to make evidence of valid OSGF approval, where applicable, a mandatory requirement for the processing of official Notes Verbales, diplomatic facilitation and other applications relating to official foreign travel.

The Ministry is also expected to formally communicate the requirement to Foreign Missions and Embassies accredited to Nigeria, advising that applications for Official, Diplomatic or Service Visas by Government Appointees should, where applicable, be accompanied by duly issued OSGF travel approval.

Similarly, the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation has been directed to demand evidence of the requisite OSGF approval from Government Appointees who undertake official foreign trips at public expense during audit exercises.

The circular further stated that expenditures incurred on official foreign trips undertaken without the required approval would be reported in accordance with extant Financial Regulations and applicable audit procedures.

Accounting Officers, Permanent Secretaries, Chief Executive Officers and Heads of Federal Government Agencies have also been directed to ensure that no expenditure relating to official foreign travel by Government Appointees is processed without prior OSGF approval.

The Federal Government said the measures are aimed at strengthening due process, centralised coordination of Government business, accountability and prudent management of public resources.

All Honourable Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Accounting Officers and Heads of MDAs have therefore been directed to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the circular, which takes immediate effect.

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