Tinubu Government Tightens Foreign Travel Rules for Ministers and Top Officials

The Federal Government has barred ministers, security chiefs, heads of agencies and other top appointees from travelling abroad without prior approval from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

The directive aims to tighten control over official foreign trips and reduce unnecessary expenditure.

Officials who need to travel for essential government business must now submit formal requests through the SGF’s office. The circular applies immediately.

Sources within the presidency said the measure is part of broader efforts to improve coordination and accountability in the executive arm.

Some appointees who had already scheduled trips are reviewing their plans following the new directive.

The policy is expected to cut the volume of concurrent foreign engagements that previously left multiple key offices empty at the same time.

The new approval requirement therefore puts greater emphasis on coordination before senior government officials leave the country for official engagements.