Reps kick against FG’s circular restricting foreign trips for lawmakers

House of Representatives, on Tuesday, kicked against a Federal Government circular requiring prior executive approval for official foreign trips by members of the National Assembly, warning that the directive could undermine the constitutional independence of the Legislature.

The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion titled ‘Need to safeguard the constitutional independence of the Legislature as a distinct arm of Government from Executive Control on official foreign travel,’ sponsored by Hon. Jesse Okey-Joe Onuakalusi.

In his lead debate, Hon. Onuakalusi, who reaffirmed the Parliament’s status as an independent arm of government, insisted that administrative procedures introduced by the Executive must respect the doctrine of separation of powers as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

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He specifically expressed concern over a circular dated August 13, 2026, with reference number PRS59648/5.13/TI/335, issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), which requires prior approval for official foreign trips and makes such approval a condition for processing the necessary travel documents.

The House maintained that the directive raised constitutional concerns, particularly regarding the extent to which the Executive could exercise administrative control over the Legislature’s official international engagements.

Recalling the provisions of Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the 1999 Constitution, the lawmakers noted that the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary were established as distinct arms of government, with clearly defined responsibilities under the principles of separation of powers and checks and balances.

The House argued that “under provisions of Section 51 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and Section 22 of the National Assembly Act, 2014, the Clerk to the National Assembly, in liaison with the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, has the Constitutional rights concerning the administrative arrangements for parliamentary foreign trips and the issuance of Notes Verbales.”

While stressing that the National Assembly was an independent arm of government and should not be treated as a Ministry, Department, Agency or subordinate institution of the Executive, he warned that requiring the approval of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation before the Ministry of Foreign Affairs could issue Notes Verbales for official foreign trips by presiding officers, principal officers and other members of the National Assembly could undermine legislative autonomy.

According to him, such a requirement could also impede parliamentary diplomacy and create an inappropriate relationship of executive control over the Legislature, potentially affecting the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.

The lawmaker, however, acknowledged the need for proper administrative procedures, maintaining that such processes must operate within constitutional boundaries and should not compromise the independence of any arm of government.

To address the concerns, the House mandated its joint Committees on Public Service Matters and Legislative Compliance to investigate the circular and its implications for parliamentary independence.

The joint Committees are expected to recommend appropriate legislative action and submit their report within four weeks for further legislative consideration.