The Federal Government has introduced stricter financial controls across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), reducing the maximum reimbursable imprest available to ministers to ₦700,000 as part of efforts to improve fiscal discipline and accountability in public spending.
The new directive is contained in the 2026 Annual General Imprest Warrant signed by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, and conveyed through a Federal Treasury Circular issued by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.
The circular was dated June 3, 2026, and signed by Accountant-General Shamseldeen Ogunjimi.
Under the revised framework, ministers are entitled to a maximum reimbursable imprest of ₦700,000, while permanent secretaries and directors-general are limited to ₦500,000.
Directors and heads of departments can access up to ₦300,000, while heads of formations and other authorized imprest holders are restricted to ₦100,000.
The government said the measure aligns with provisions of Financial Regulation 1003 and is aimed at promoting prudent management of public resources, reducing waste, and strengthening oversight of government expenditures.
In addition to the new limits, the circular introduced tighter rules governing reimbursement.
According to the directive, standing imprest reimbursements will normally be processed once per quarter and may not exceed two reimbursements within a quarter except under exceptional circumstances.
The government also moved to tighten procurement procedures by directing that all purchases of goods and services valued above ₦1 million must be conducted through formal contract awards in line with the Public Procurement Act.
The move is intended to curb the use of cash advances for transactions that should ordinarily undergo competitive procurement processes.
To improve monitoring, all self-accounting ministries, extra-ministerial departments, and agencies have been directed to submit detailed returns to the Office of the Accountant-General within 30 days.
The reports are expected to include evidence of retirement of previous imprest allocations and updated lists of approved imprest holders for 2026.
The circular further requires imprest holders to operate dedicated bank accounts in compliance with the Federal Government’s electronic payment policy.
Monthly reports showing funds received and retired must also be submitted for verification and audit purposes.
The Accountant-General warned that routine inspections would be conducted by the Treasury Inspectorate Department and that violations of the regulations could attract sanctions, including the withdrawal of authority to issue imprest and other disciplinary measures.
Imprest refers to cash advances provided to government officials for routine and urgent official expenses that may not require the full procurement process.
Public finance experts say the latest directive signals the government's determination to strengthen transparency and tighten control over the management of public funds amid increasing calls for greater fiscal responsibility.