Effective from December 1st, federal civil servants must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or present a negative COVID-19 PCR test before they are allowed into their offices across the country.

The directive is also applicable to all officials of Nigerian Missions abroad.

The Federal Government is in the process of issuing appropriate service wide advisory/circular to guide the process.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, disclosed this in his remarks on Wednesday in Abuja.

“With effect from 1st December, 2021, Federal Government employees shall be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result done within 72 hours, to gain access to their offices, in all locations within Nigeria and our Missions. An appropriate service wide advisory/circular will be issued to guide the process,” Mustapha said.

The SGF stated that statistics generated over the last four weeks on testing have shown that the trend of infection is going down in some states while in others, the trajectory is upward.

“The combined total for testing by PCR and RDT now stands at about 3,141,795 persons,” he said.

Mustapha said discussions are still on-going with the UAE Authorities to resolve the travel impasse.

“The Hon. Minister of Aviation today, presented the position of African countries on Vaccine Passport which some economic blocks and countries wish to impose, for travel purposes. This is because African countries have found it difficult to access the vaccines for their citizens in sufficient number.

“Over several months, four countries were placed on high level restriction for travellers from such countries. The PSC has after a review of the developments in these countries, decided to remove South Africa, Turkey, and Brazil from the restricted list.

“As you are aware, the UK has eased restrictions on fully vaccinated travellers from Nigeria to the UK with effect from 11th October. Nigeria welcomes this development and assures that the PSC shall continue to review Nigeria’s protocols based on global developments, science and national experience. A revised protocol will be issued in the next 24 hours,” the SGF noted.