By Blessing Fali
The Federal Government has introduced stricter measures for ministers, heads of ministries, departments and agencies, and other government appointees planning official foreign trips.
Under a new directive issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, government appointees must obtain prior approval from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, OSGF, before embarking on official foreign trips.
The directive also requires the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to demand evidence of valid OSGF approval before processing official, diplomatic and service visas for government appointees.
The development comes amid heightened scrutiny following the controversy surrounding the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC, which the Federal Government has described as a fictitious organisation.
The controversy has raised concerns over how individuals claiming to represent the Federal Government were able to engage government institutions and foreign diplomats without clear evidence of official authorisation.
According to the new circular, the government has observed that some officials continued to embark on official foreign trips without obtaining the required clearance, despite previous guidelines regulating foreign travel by public officials.
The SGF said the measure was aimed at promoting accountability, fiscal discipline, transparency and proper coordination of government activities.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has consequently been directed to make OSGF approval a mandatory supporting document for official foreign travel applications where applicable.
Foreign missions and embassies accredited to Nigeria are also expected to be informed of the new requirement so that they can verify whether government officials seeking official visas have obtained the necessary approval.
The government further directed the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation to check compliance during audit exercises.
Officials who undertake foreign trips using public funds without the required approval could face scrutiny, while accounting officers and heads of government institutions have been directed not to process expenditure for unauthorised official foreign travel.
The new policy applies broadly to ministers, permanent secretaries, heads of government agencies, security chiefs, regulatory bodies and other senior government officials.
It takes immediate effect and is part of the Federal Government’s broader effort to strengthen verification, accountability and control over official foreign engagements.
The fake agency controversy has already led to investigations by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, after President Bola Tinubu ordered a probe into the purported PFIPC and related activities.
The latest travel directive is therefore expected to provide an additional layer of verification to ensure that officials travelling abroad on behalf of Nigeria have the necessary government authorisation.
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