Fake Agency Sagas: Ministers, DGs Face Fresh Hurdles Over Foreign Trips

The Federal Government has tightened controls over official foreign travel by ministers, heads of ministries, departments and agencies, and other government appointees, requiring them to obtain prior approval from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

The directive was contained in a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, amid renewed scrutiny of individuals and organisations claiming to represent the Federal Government without clear authorisation.

The government said some appointees had continued to embark on official foreign trips without securing the required clearance, despite several existing directives regulating official travel.

According to the circular, the rules are intended to strengthen accountability, fiscal discipline, transparency and coordination of government activities.

The directive applies to ministers, heads of government agencies, boards, committees and other public officials undertaking official foreign engagements.

The government has now directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make evidence of valid OSGF approval a mandatory requirement when processing official Notes Verbales, diplomatic facilitation and applications relating to official foreign travel by government appointees.

Foreign missions and embassies accredited to Nigeria are also to be informed of the requirement, allowing them to verify whether officials seeking official, diplomatic or service visas have obtained the necessary approval.

The Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation has also been instructed to check compliance during audit exercises.

Government appointees who undertake official foreign trips at public expense without the required approval may be required to account for the expenditure, while unauthorised spending will be reported in line with applicable financial regulations.

Accounting officers, permanent secretaries, chief executive officers and heads of government agencies have equally been directed not to process expenditure for official foreign travel unless the requisite approval has been obtained.

The latest measure comes against the backdrop of concerns surrounding the activities of individuals presenting themselves as government representatives without verifiable official mandates.

The controversy involving a self-styled Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council has heightened questions about how individuals claiming government authority can conduct engagements, including foreign activities, in Nigeria’s name.

However, the government’s latest directive is broader and covers all federal appointees, regardless of whether they are connected to the controversy.

The administration said strict compliance with existing travel regulations was necessary to prevent abuse, reduce unnecessary expenditure and ensure that official foreign engagements are properly authorised and monitored.

The directive reinforces the government’s wider efforts to improve accountability across federal institutions and ensure public funds are not spent on unauthorised official travel.