- The Federal Government has stopped agencies from paying for unapproved official foreign trips
- Government appointees must obtain OSGF clearance before travelling abroad on official assignments
- Officials who violate the directive may face audit and financial consequences
The Federal Government has introduced stricter controls on official international travels by political appointees and other senior public officials, warning that government funds will not be released for trips undertaken without proper authorisation.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the new measure requires officials to obtain clearance from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation before embarking on official assignments outside Nigeria
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Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, conveyed the directive in a circular dated August 13, 2026, which was distributed to ministers, presidential aides, permanent secretaries, service chiefs and heads of federal agencies, parastatals and government-owned enterprises.
The government said the decision became necessary because some appointees had continued to travel abroad for official purposes without securing the required clearance, despite previous instructions regulating such journeys.
It noted that several circulars had been released over the years, dating back to 2012, to ensure proper control of government-funded foreign trips. However, continued violations of the guidelines, according to the government, have raised concerns about accountability and the responsible use of public resources.
Under the latest directive, senior administrative and financial officers in government institutions will be responsible for ensuring that no travel-related expenses are approved or paid where the required OSGF clearance is absent.
The government also placed the responsibility for enforcing the rule on permanent secretaries, accounting officers, chief executives and heads of federal MDAs.
In addition, the Auditor-General for the Federation has been directed to demand documentary evidence of the required approval whenever officials are audited for government-funded foreign trips.
Any public expenditure arising from an overseas assignment that was undertaken without the necessary clearance will be subjected to appropriate reporting under existing financial and audit rules.
The directive also extends to the processing of travel documentation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expected to verify that government officials seeking diplomatic assistance, visa facilitation or other services for official trips have obtained the required approval.
Foreign embassies and diplomatic missions operating in Nigeria will equally be notified of the new requirement. Applications for official, diplomatic or service visas involving government appointees are expected to carry evidence of valid OSGF clearance.
The Federal Government directed all ministers, permanent secretaries, accounting officers and heads of government institutions to ensure full compliance with the measure.
The latest policy is aimed at tightening oversight of official foreign travel and ensuring that government-funded international assignments are properly authorised before public money is committed.
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