From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Federal Government has reduced the maximum reimbursable imprest available to ministers to N700,000 and introduced stricter controls on the use of public funds as part of efforts to strengthen financial discipline across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The new measures are 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, dated June 3, 2026, and signed by the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, authorises accounting officers across government to approve funds for eligible imprest holders while setting new spending limits and compliance requirements.
Under the directive, ministers are entitled to a maximum reimbursable imprest of N700,000, while permanent secretaries and directors-general are limited to N500,000.
Directors and heads of departments can access up to N300,000, while heads of formations in states and other authorised holders are restricted to N100,000.
The government also curtailed the frequency of reimbursements, stating that standing imprest should normally be reimbursed once per quarter and not more than twice within the same quarter when necessary.
In a move aimed at improving transparency, all local procurement of goods and services above N1 million must be conducted through contract awards in line with the Public Procurement Act, except where otherwise provided by law.
MDAs have also been directed to submit details of retired 2025 imprest allocations and approved 2026 imprest holders to the Accountant-General within 30 days. In addition, imprest holders must operate dedicated bank accounts and submit monthly reports on funds received and retired.
The Treasury Inspectorate Department will conduct routine inspections throughout the year, while violations could attract sanctions, including the withdrawal of an accounting officer’s authority to issue imprest.
