The federal government has issued new directives for strengthening financial discipline across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA) under which ministers will be entitled to a maximum reimbursable imprest of N700,000, while permanent secretaries and directors-general will be limited to N500,000.
Under the new guidelines, 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, which places new limits on reimbursable imprest, Directors and heads of departments will be entitled to N300,000, while heads of formations in states and other authorised imprest holders will have a ceiling of N100,000.
The circular, dated June 3, 2026, and signed by the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, authorises accounting officers across the three arms of government to approve funds to eligible imprest holders while setting clear spending thresholds and compliance requirements.
The Office of the Accountant-General said the move was in line with the provisions of Financial Regulation 1003 and forms part of efforts to ensure accountability and prudent management of public resources.
The federal government also restricted the frequency of imprest reimbursements, saying: “The frequency of reimbursement of any standing imprest shall normally be once in a quarter and shall not exceed twice in a quarter where the need arises.”
The government also directed all accounting officers and expenditure controllers to ensure that procurements above N1 million are conducted through contract awards in line with existing procurement laws.
“All local procurement of stores and services costing above N1,000,000 shall be made only through the award of contracts, except as otherwise provided by the Public Procurement Act,” the circular noted.
The directive further emphasised strict compliance with financial regulations governing the management and retirement of imprest accounts.
