FG halts payment for unauthorised foreign trips by appointees

The Federal Government has issued a directive to halt payment for unauthorised foreign trips by government appointees, effective from August 13, 2026. The circular, issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, aims to ensure compliance with existing regulations and administrative procedures. Despite previous circulars issued since 2012 to regulate foreign travel by cabinet members and public officials, instances of non-compliance continue to undermine the government's efforts to ensure proper coordination, accountability, transparency, and prudent management of public resources.

The directive mandates that accounting officers, permanent secretaries, Chief Executive Officers, and heads of Federal Government agencies must ensure no expenditure relating to official foreign travel by government appointees is processed unless the requisite Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) approval has first been obtained.

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