FAKE AGENCY CONTROVERSY: MINISTERS, DGS FACE FRESH CHALLENGES OVER FOREIGN TRAVEL
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By:Tajudeen Aminat
The Federal Government has directed ministers, heads of ministries, departments and agencies, as well as other government appointees, to obtain prior approval from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation before embarking on official foreign trips.
It has also instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make proof of valid OSGF approval a mandatory requirement for processing official travel documents, including official, diplomatic and service visas for government appointees.
The directive was contained in a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and circulated to senior government officials and heads of major Federal Government institutions.
The move comes amid increased scrutiny of individuals and organisations claiming to represent the Federal Government, particularly following the controversy involving the self-styled Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi.
The controversy has heightened concerns over how individuals claiming official status are able to conduct engagements, including foreign activities, in the name of the Nigerian government without verifiable authorisation.
However, the latest directive applies broadly to Federal Government appointees and is not limited to the controversy surrounding the purported agency.
The circular, titled “Non-Compliance by Government Appointees with the Requirement for OSGF Approval for Official Foreign Trips and the Mandatory Inclusion of OSGF Approval in the Processing of Official Visas,” said the government had observed continued breaches of existing regulations governing official foreign travel.
Akume noted that several circulars had previously been issued to regulate foreign trips by ministers, heads of ministries, departments and agencies, boards, committees and other public officials.
He said the guidelines were introduced to promote accountability, fiscal discipline and effective coordination of government activities.
The SGF referenced several previous directives, including the September 18, 2023 circular on guidelines for official travel by cabinet members, agency heads and public officials; the March 31, 2015 circular on official trips by chairmen of Federal Government committees, boards of corporations and government-owned companies; and the September 27, 2017 circular introducing additional cost-control measures for foreign trips by ministers and senior government officials.
Other directives cited included the March 8, 2018 circular addressing poor compliance with regulations guiding foreign travel by public officials and the November 20, 2012 circular on further cost-cutting measures and fiscal prudence regarding travel by cabinet members.
Despite the existing regulations, the SGF said cases of non-compliance had continued to occur.
According to the circular, such violations undermine government efforts to ensure proper coordination, transparency, accountability, prudent management of public resources and effective monitoring of official foreign engagements conducted on behalf of Nigeria.
The government therefore reaffirmed that all official foreign trips by Federal Government appointees must receive prior approval from the OSGF, except where otherwise provided by law or through a specific presidential directive.
The directive stated that the requirement was consistent with the principles of due process, centralised coordination of government activities and prudent management of public resources, as provided under the Public Service Rules, the Financial Regulations and other relevant government directives.
As part of measures to strengthen compliance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was directed to require evidence of valid OSGF approval when processing official foreign travel documentation.
The ministry was specifically instructed to include proof of approval, where applicable, among the mandatory documents required for official Notes Verbales, diplomatic facilitation and applications for official foreign travel by government appointees.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was also directed to communicate the requirement to all foreign missions and embassies accredited to Nigeria.
Under the new arrangement, applications for official, diplomatic or service visas by government appointees should, where applicable, be accompanied by duly issued OSGF travel approval.
The Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation was also tasked with monitoring compliance during audit exercises.
Government appointees who undertake official foreign trips at public expense may be required to present evidence of the necessary OSGF approval during audits.
The Federal Government further warned that expenditure incurred on unauthorised foreign trips would be scrutinised and reported in line with existing financial regulations and audit procedures.
Accounting officers, permanent secretaries, chief executive officers and heads of Federal Government agencies were also directed to ensure that public funds were not processed for official foreign travel without the required approval.
The SGF consequently directed all ministers, permanent secretaries, accounting officers and heads of ministries, departments and agencies to ensure strict compliance with the directive, which takes immediate effect.
The circular was addressed to a wide range of senior government officials and institutional heads, including the Chief of Staff to the President, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Vice President, ministers and ministers of state, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, National Security Adviser, Economic Adviser to the President, special advisers and senior special assistants.
It was also sent to the Chief of Defence Staff, service chiefs, Inspector-General of Police, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, heads of major commissions, regulatory agencies, security institutions, anti-corruption bodies, electoral institutions and government-owned companies.
The broad scope of the directive means that ministers, senior political appointees, permanent secretaries, security chiefs and heads of government agencies and institutions will now be required to comply with the approval process before undertaking official foreign engagements.
The development follows the controversy surrounding the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and its self-styled Director-General, Adeyemi, which has raised questions about the verification of individuals claiming to act on behalf of the Federal Government.
The latest directive, however, does not specifically target the purported agency or Adeyemi. Rather, it reinforces existing government regulations by introducing stricter compliance measures for official foreign travel by government appointees.
By requiring foreign missions to verify OSGF approval before processing relevant travel documentation, the Federal Government is seeking to strengthen oversight of officials travelling abroad on government business.
The measures are also expected to improve accountability in public spending, curb unauthorised foreign travel and ensure that individuals representing Nigeria abroad have the necessary government clearance.
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