RismadarVoice Reporters
September 8, 2026
The Federal Government of Nigeria has tightened the rules governing official foreign travel by ministers, heads of ministries, departments and agencies, and other political appointees.
Under the new directive, government officials must obtain prior approval from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation before embarking on official trips outside Nigeria.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also been directed to make evidence of valid approval from the SGF’s office a mandatory requirement when processing official travel documents, including official, diplomatic and service visas for government appointees.
The directive was contained in a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and circulated to senior government officials and heads of major Federal Government institutions.
The move comes amid increased scrutiny of individuals and organisations claiming to represent the Federal Government, particularly following the controversy surrounding the self-styled Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi.
However, the latest directive applies broadly to Federal Government appointees and is not limited to the controversy surrounding the purported council.
The circular, 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,” said the government had observed continued violations of existing travel regulations.
According to the SGF, some government appointees had continued to undertake official foreign trips without obtaining the required clearance from his office.
The government said the travel rules were designed to promote accountability, fiscal discipline, proper coordination of government business and prudent management of public resources.
The circular referenced several previous directives regulating foreign travel by public officials, including guidelines issued in 2023, 2018, 2017, 2015 and 2012.
Despite those measures, the SGF said cases of non-compliance had persisted.
He warned that unauthorised foreign trips could undermine government efforts to ensure transparency, accountability and effective monitoring of official engagements undertaken on behalf of Nigeria.
The government has now reaffirmed that official foreign trips by Federal Government appointees require prior approval from the OSGF, except where an exemption is provided by law or through a specific presidential directive.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was consequently instructed to include evidence of valid OSGF approval among the documents required for official Notes Verbales, diplomatic facilitation and applications relating to official foreign travel.
The ministry was also directed to notify foreign missions and embassies accredited to Nigeria of the new requirement.
This means foreign missions processing official, diplomatic or service visas for Nigerian government appointees may be required to verify that the applicants have obtained the necessary approval before their travel documents are processed.
The Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation has also been assigned a role in monitoring compliance.
The circular directed the Auditor-General’s office to require government appointees who travelled abroad at public expense to produce evidence of the requisite OSGF approval during audit exercises.
The government further warned that expenditure incurred on unauthorised foreign trips would be reported in line with existing financial regulations and audit procedures.
Accounting officers, permanent secretaries, chief executive officers and heads of Federal Government agencies were also directed to ensure that public funds are not processed for official foreign travel unless the required approval had first been obtained.
The SGF directed all ministers, permanent secretaries, accounting officers and heads of ministries, departments and agencies to ensure strict compliance with the circular.
The directive takes immediate effect and supersedes any administrative practice that conflicts with its provisions, while existing regulations governing official foreign travel remain applicable.
The circular was addressed to senior officials including the Chief of Staff to the President, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Vice President, ministers and ministers of state, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, National Security Adviser and other presidential advisers.
It was also sent to the Chief of Defence Staff, service chiefs, Inspector-General of Police, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and heads of several constitutional, regulatory, electoral, financial and anti-corruption institutions.
Among those listed were the Independent National Electoral Commission, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Code of Conduct Bureau, Federal Character Commission and Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission.
Directors-general and chief executives of government agencies, parastatals and government-owned companies were also included.
The new measures come against the backdrop of controversy surrounding the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and its self-styled Director-General, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi.
The controversy has triggered questions over how individuals or organisations claiming official government status can conduct engagements, including international activities, without clear evidence of government authorisation.
The latest circular does not specifically name the purported council or Adeyemi. Rather, it establishes a broader framework requiring government appointees to obtain central approval before undertaking official foreign engagements.
The government is also strengthening the verification process by requiring evidence of OSGF approval as part of the documentation for official foreign travel.
