FG Restricts Official Foreign Trips, Demands SGF Approval Before Visa Processing

Senator George Akume 
Secretary to the Government of the Federation 

.... Directs all Ministers, Permanent Secretariats, Accounting Officers and Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies to ensure strict compliance with the new directive.

The Federal Government has tightened regulations governing official foreign travels by its appointees, directing that no such trip should be undertaken without prior approval from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

The directive was contained in a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and dated August 13, 2026.

Under the new measures, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is required to make evidence of valid OSGF approval a mandatory condition for processing official Notes Verbales, diplomatic facilitation and applications relating to official foreign travel by government appointees.

The Ministry is also to communicate the directive to foreign missions and embassies accredited to Nigeria, advising them that applications for Official, Diplomatic or Service Visas by government appointees should, where applicable, be accompanied by duly issued OSGF travel approval.

The SGF said the decision followed continued cases of federal appointees embarking on official foreign trips without obtaining the required approval, despite existing government regulations.

According to Akume, such non-compliance undermines efforts to promote accountability, transparency, prudent management of public resources and effective coordination of government business.

The circular recalled several previous directives regulating official foreign travels, including the September 18, 2023 guidelines for official travels by cabinet members, heads of agencies and public officials, as well as earlier directives issued in 2015 and 2017 on official trips and cost-control measures.

Akume stressed that all official foreign trips by federal government appointees must continue to receive prior OSGF approval, except where otherwise expressly provided by law or specific presidential directive.

He further directed the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation to demand evidence of OSGF approval from every government appointee who undertook an official foreign trip at public expense during audit exercises.

The SGF warned that any expenditure incurred on official foreign travel undertaken without the requisite approval would be appropriately reported in line with existing financial regulations and audit procedures.

Similarly, accounting officers, permanent secretaries, chief executive officers and heads of federal government agencies were directed not to process expenditure relating to official foreign trips by government appointees unless the required OSGF approval had first been obtained.

Akume directed all ministers, permanent secretaries, accounting officers and heads of ministries, departments and agencies to ensure strict compliance with the new directive.

The circular takes immediate effect and supersedes any administrative practice inconsistent with its provisions.