Public officials planning official trips abroad will now face tighter scrutiny before government funds can be spent on their travel.
The Federal Government has directed ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to stop processing expenses linked to official foreign trips unless the traveller has first obtained 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, signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
It was circulated to ministers, the President’s Chief of Staff, heads of federal institutions, service chiefs, permanent secretaries and chief executives of government-owned organisations.
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Why the government issued the directive
According to the SGF, some government appointees have continued to embark on official international assignments without securing the required clearance.
The government said the practice violates existing administrative procedures and undermines efforts to ensure accountability, transparency, coordination and responsible management of public funds.
The circular, referenced PRS59648/S.13/TI/335, noted that several directives have been issued since 2012 to regulate foreign travel by ministers and other government officials.
Despite those measures, breaches have continued, prompting the latest attempt to strengthen enforcement.
No approval, no travel expenses
Under the new arrangement, accounting officers, permanent secretaries, chief executives and heads of federal agencies must verify that the necessary OSGF approval exists before authorising or processing any expenditure connected to an official foreign trip.
In other words, approval must come before public money is committed to the trip.
The government has also brought the audit process into the enforcement framework.
The Auditor-General for the Federation is expected to request evidence of OSGF approval whenever officials are audited for foreign trips undertaken at public expense.
Unauthorised trips could trigger audit action
The Federal Government warned that spending associated with unauthorised official foreign travel would be reported in line with applicable financial and audit rules.
That could make officials and agencies more directly accountable for travel undertaken without the required clearance.
The policy therefore shifts the issue from simply obtaining approval to ensuring that financial records can demonstrate that approval was obtained before the trip was funded.
Foreign Affairs Ministry gets new role
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also been assigned additional responsibilities under the directive.
The ministry is expected to require evidence of OSGF approval before processing key diplomatic and travel-related requests, including:
- Notes Verbales
- Diplomatic facilitation
- Visa applications for government officials travelling on official assignments
Foreign embassies and missions accredited to Nigeria are also to be informed that applications for official, diplomatic and service visas by government appointees must be accompanied by valid proof of OSGF approval.
MDAs ordered to comply
The SGF has directed ministers, permanent secretaries, accounting officers and heads of MDAs to ensure that the new requirements are fully implemented.
The move effectively places responsibility at several points in the travel process—from government departments approving expenditure to auditors reviewing public accounts and diplomatic missions processing official travel documentation.
The message from the Federal Government is clear: official foreign travel funded by taxpayers must be authorised before the journey begins, not regularised afterwards.