The Federal Government has introduced new financial control measures aimed at improving accountability and reducing abuse of public funds across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), including a reduction in the maximum reimbursable imprest available to top government officials.
Under the new directive, ministers will now be entitled to a maximum reimbursable imprest of N700,000, while permanent secretaries and directors-general will be limited to N500,000.
The 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 institutions to approve imprest funds while enforcing stricter spending limits and compliance requirements.
According to the directive, directors and heads of departments will have a ceiling of N300,000, while heads of formations and other authorised imprest holders will be limited to N100,000.
The government said the move aligns with existing financial regulations and forms part of broader efforts to strengthen transparency, accountability, and prudent management of public resources.
In another major change, the Federal Government has restricted the frequency of imprest reimbursements.
According to the circular, reimbursements will normally be allowed once every quarter and, in exceptional circumstances, not more than twice within a quarter.
The government also directed all accounting officers and expenditure controllers to ensure that any procurement above N1 million is processed through formal contract awards in line with the provisions of the Public Procurement Act.
“All local procurement of stores and services costing above N1,000,000 shall be made only through the award of contracts,” the circular stated.
To strengthen oversight, all self-accounting ministries, agencies, and extra-ministerial departments have been instructed to submit detailed returns to the Office of the Accountant-General within 30 days.
The reports are expected to show how 2025 imprest allocations were retired and provide details of approved imprest holders for 2026.
The directive also mandates imprest holders to operate dedicated operational bank accounts and submit monthly reports showing payments received and evidence of retirement of funds.
The Accountant-General warned that routine inspections would be carried out throughout the financial year and that any violation of the regulations would attract sanctions.
“Any breach of the regulations in the operation of imprest accounts shall lead to the withdrawal of the right to issue any imprest by the affected accounting officer,” the circular warned.
The latest measures form part of ongoing public financial management reforms aimed at tightening treasury controls, improving transparency, and ensuring value for money in government spending.
