The House of Representatives has ordered an investigation into a Federal Government circular requiring prior approval for official foreign trips, following concerns that the directive could subject members of the National Assembly to executive control and undermine the constitutional independence of the legislature.
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The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Lagos lawmaker Jesse Onuakalusi and considered during Tuesday’s plenary.
At the centre of the controversy is a circular dated August 13, 2026, issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation with reference number PRS59648/5.13/TI/335.
According to the motion, the circular requires prior approval for official foreign trips and makes such approval a condition for the processing of travel documents.
Lawmakers expressed concern that applying the directive to members of the National Assembly, particularly presiding officers and principal officers travelling on official parliamentary assignments, could place the legislature under inappropriate executive supervision.
The House maintained that the National Assembly is an independent arm of government and should not be treated as a ministry, department, agency or other institution subordinate to the executive.
Onuakalusi drew attention to Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which respectively establish the legislative, executive and judicial arms of government and provide the constitutional framework for separation of powers.
The motion also referenced Section 51 of the Constitution and Section 22 of the National Assembly Act, 2014, in relation to the administration of parliamentary foreign engagements and the issuance of Notes Verbales.
A Note Verbale is a formal diplomatic communication commonly used between governments, embassies and other diplomatic institutions and may be required to facilitate official international engagements and travel.
The House expressed particular concern that the circular could require approval from the Office of the SGF before the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues Notes Verbales to lawmakers travelling abroad on official assignments.
“The House is concerned that requiring approval from the SGF before the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can issue Notes Verbales for official foreign trips by the Presiding Officers, Principal Officers and members of the National Assembly could undermine legislative independence, impede parliamentary diplomacy and create an inappropriate relationship of executive control over the legislature,” Onuakalusi said.
Lawmakers argued that administrative procedures established by the executive must operate within constitutional limits and should not interfere with the ability of the legislature to discharge its functions independently.
They also maintained that parliamentary diplomacy forms part of the National Assembly’s official responsibilities and should not be subjected to procedures capable of making lawmakers dependent on executive approval before undertaking official international engagements.
Following deliberations, the House mandated its Committees on Public Service Matters and Legislative Compliance to investigate the circular and determine its implications for the independence of the legislature.
The committees were also directed to examine the administrative procedures governing official foreign travel by members of the National Assembly and recommend any legislative measures considered necessary.
They are expected to report back to the House within four weeks for further legislative action.
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