House of Representatives probes foreign trip approval directive

The House of Representatives has initiated an investigation into a Federal Government circular that mandates prior approval for official foreign trips by lawmakers. This motion was sponsored by Lagos lawmaker Jesse Onuakalusi and was raised during a plenary session on Tuesday.

The circular, dated August 13, 2026, and issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stipulates that approval is necessary for processing travel documents. Lawmakers expressed concerns that this directive could compromise the independence of the National Assembly and subject its members to executive control, particularly in matters of parliamentary diplomacy.

The House referenced Sections 4, 5, and 6 of the 1999 Constitution, which delineate the separation of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The investigation will be conducted by the Committees on Public Service Matters and Legislative Compliance, which are tasked with reporting back within four weeks on the implications of the circular for legislative independence and the administrative procedures for parliamentary engagements abroad.