TINUBU TIGHTENS FOREIGN TRAVEL RULES: MINISTERS, SECURITY CHIEFS, AGENCY BOSSES MUST GET SGF CLEARANCE BEFORE OFFICIAL TRIPS

The Federal Government has ordered ministers, security chiefs, heads of government agencies and other political appointees to obtain prior approval from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) before embarking on official foreign trips.

The directive, issued by the administration of President Bola Tinubu, also requires the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make evidence of valid OSGF approval a mandatory condition for processing official travel documentation and providing diplomatic facilitation for government officials.

The new directive was contained in a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, and addressed to ministers, heads of ministries, departments and agencies, as well as other senior officials of the Federal Government.

The circular, which takes immediate effect, was issued against the backdrop of concerns that some government appointees had continued to embark on official foreign trips without obtaining the required clearance from the OSGF.

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,” the circular expressed concern over the continued violation of existing government regulations governing official travels outside Nigeria.

Akume stated that the government had “observed with concern” that some Federal Government appointees continued to embark on official foreign trips without first securing approval from his office.

He said such conduct was contrary to existing government directives and established administrative procedures regulating official travels outside the country.

The SGF explained that the Federal Government had, over the years, issued several circulars and directives designed to regulate foreign travels by ministers, heads of ministries, departments and agencies, boards, committees and other public officials.

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

The latest circular specifically recalled the September 18, 2023 directive titled, “Guidelines for Official Travels by Cabinet Members, Heads of Agencies and Public Officials.”

It also referenced a March 31, 2015 circular titled, “Guidelines for Official Trips by Chairmen of Federal Government Committees, Boards of Corporations and Government-Owned Companies.”

Other previous directives cited by the SGF included the September 27, 2017 circular on “Additional Cost Control Measures to Guide Foreign Trips by Ministers and Senior Government Officials.”

The government further referred to the March 8, 2018 circular titled, “Observed Indifferent Adherence to Extant Regulations Guiding the Conduct of Foreign Trips by Public Officials,” as well as the November 20, 2012 circular on “Further Cost-Cutting Measures and Fiscal Prudence on Travel by Cabinet Members.”

The SGF noted that despite the repeated directives issued by successive administrations, violations of the rules on official foreign travel had continued.

He warned that the problem was not limited to the individual officials undertaking the trips, but had wider implications for the coordination and administration of Federal Government business.

According to the circular, continued disregard for the regulations undermines the government’s efforts to ensure proper coordination, accountability and transparency in the conduct of official business.

It also undermines efforts to ensure prudent management of public resources and effective monitoring of foreign engagements undertaken on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The Federal Government consequently reaffirmed that prior approval from the OSGF remains mandatory for all official foreign trips by Federal Government appointees.

The directive applies unless an exemption is expressly provided for by law or covered by a specific Presidential directive.

The government also introduced an additional layer of enforcement by directing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to demand evidence of OSGF approval before processing official travel documentation and diplomatic facilitation for affected government officials.

The measure means that officials who fail to secure the required approval could face difficulty obtaining the necessary official travel documentation and diplomatic support for foreign engagements.

The administration said the renewed enforcement was necessary to strengthen compliance with existing rules, improve coordination of government activities abroad and ensure greater fiscal discipline in the management of public resources.

The latest directive therefore places renewed responsibility on ministers, security chiefs, agency heads, board chairmen, committee officials and other affected Federal Government appointees to secure the necessary clearance before leaving the country on official assignments.

The circular takes immediate effect.