Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume has ordered stricter enforcement of rules requiring ministers, agency heads and other federal appointees to obtain approval before undertaking official foreign trips.
The directive followed concerns that some public officials had continued to travel abroad on official assignments without prior clearance from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Akume said repeated non compliance undermined accountability, fiscal discipline, transparency and coordination of government activities.
In a circular dated August 13, 2026, he reminded cabinet members, heads of agencies, boards, committees and other officials that existing travel rules remained binding.
The SGF cited several previous government circulars issued between 2012 and 2023 to regulate foreign travel and reduce unnecessary public expenditure.
Under the strengthened arrangement, all official foreign trips by federal appointees will continue to require prior OSGF approval except where a law or specific presidential directive provides otherwise.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been directed to demand evidence of valid approval before processing official Notes Verbales, diplomatic facilitation requests and other travel documentation.
Foreign missions and embassies accredited to Nigeria are also expected to be informed that official, diplomatic or service visa requests should include the required approval where applicable.
Akume also directed the Office of the Auditor General for the Federation to require evidence of approval during audits of publicly funded foreign travel.
Expenditure incurred on trips undertaken without the required clearance could be flagged under applicable financial rules.
Permanent secretaries, accounting officers and heads of agencies were instructed not to process official travel expenditure unless the appropriate approval had been obtained.
Akume said the measures took immediate effect and were intended to ensure that public resources used for foreign engagements were properly authorised and accountable.
