The Federal Government has tightened regulations governing official foreign travels by government appointees, warning that no appointee will be permitted to embark on an official trip abroad without prior approval from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
The directive was contained in a circular dated August 13, 2026, and signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.
The circular, referenced PRS59648/S.13/TI/335, was addressed to 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 and other senior government officials.
Akume expressed concern over the continued disregard for existing regulations guiding official foreign trips, despite several directives issued by the government over the years.
He noted that some Federal Government appointees still embark on official foreign trips without obtaining prior approval from the OSGF, contrary to established government procedures.
According to him, the practice undermines efforts to ensure proper coordination, accountability, transparency, prudent management of public resources and effective monitoring of official foreign engagements.
The SGF recalled several previous circulars issued to regulate foreign travels, including the Guidelines for Official Travels by Cabinet Members, Heads of Agencies and Public Officials issued on September 18, 2023.
Others include the March 31, 2015 guidelines for official trips by chairmen of Federal Government committees, boards of corporations and government-owned companies; the September 27, 2017 additional cost-control measures for foreign trips by ministers and senior government officials; and circulars issued in 2018 and 2012 on compliance and fiscal prudence in official travels.
Despite these measures, Akume said cases of non-compliance continued to occur.
He 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 specifically directed by the President.
The SGF said the requirement was in line with the principles of due process, centralised coordination of government business and prudent management of public resources, as provided under the Public Service Rules, 2021 Edition, and the Financial Regulations, Revised Edition, January 2009.
As part of measures to enforce compliance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was directed to make evidence of valid OSGF approval a mandatory requirement for processing official Notes Verbales, diplomatic facilitation and other applications relating to official foreign travel by government appointees.
The ministry was also instructed to communicate the directive to all foreign missions and embassies accredited to Nigeria.
Accordingly, applications for official, diplomatic or service visas by government appointees should, where applicable, be accompanied by duly issued OSGF travel approval as part of the required supporting documents.
The Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation was equally directed to demand evidence of OSGF approval from government appointees who undertake official foreign trips at public expense during audit exercises.
The circular warned that any expenditure incurred on an official foreign trip undertaken without the required approval would be reported in accordance with existing financial regulations and applicable audit procedures.
Akume further directed accounting officers, permanent secretaries, chief executive officers and heads of Federal Government agencies to ensure that no expenditure relating to official foreign travel by government appointees is processed without prior OSGF approval.
He urged ministers, permanent secretaries, accounting officers and heads of ministries, departments and agencies to ensure strict compliance with the directive.
The circular takes immediate effect and supersedes any administrative practice inconsistent with its provisions, while existing regulations governing official foreign travel remain in force.
