FG tightens rules, warns appointees against foreign trips without SGF’s approval

” Akume listed previous circulars issued to check the trend, including the Guidelines for Official Travels by Cabinet Members, Heads of Agencies and Public Officials of September 18, 2023; the Guidelines for Official Trips by Chairmen of Federal Government Committees, Boards of Corporations and Government-Owned Companies of March 31, 2015; the Additional Cost Control Measures to Guide Foreign Trips by Ministers and Senior Government Officials of September 27, 2017; a circular on Observed Indifferent Adherence to Extant Regulations Guiding the Conduct of Foreign Trips by Public Officials dated March 8, 2018; and the Further Cost-Cutting Measures and Fiscal Prudence on Travel by Cabinet Members circular of November 20, 2012.

According to the SGF, “It has been observed with concern that some Federal Government Appointees continue to embark on official foreign trips without obtaining prior approval from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation OSGF, contrary to extant Government directives and established administrative procedures regulating official travels outside the country.

The Ministry was also asked to formally communicate this requirement to all Foreign Missions and Embassies accredited to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, advising that 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 mandatory supporting documentation.