The Federal Government has reduced the maximum reimbursable imprest available to ministers to ₦700,000 as part of efforts to strengthen fiscal discipline, improve accountability and curb unnecessary public spending.

The new directives are contained in the 2026 Annual General Imprest Warrant signed by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and conveyed through a Federal Treasury Circular issued by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF).

According to the circular, ministers will now be entitled to a maximum reimbursable imprest of ₦700,000 for official expenses. Permanent Secretaries and Directors-General are limited to ₦500,000, while Directors and Heads of Departments have a ceiling of ₦300,000.

Other authorised imprest holders, including heads of federal formations in states, are restricted to ₦100,000. The Office of the Accountant-General said the revised limits are aimed at promoting prudent management of public funds and ensuring greater transparency in government expenditure.

Under the new framework, reimbursements for standing imprest will generally be processed once every quarter and will not exceed two reimbursements within the same quarter except in exceptional circumstances approved by the appropriate authorities.

The circular further directed that all procurements and services valued above ₦1 million must be carried out through formal contract award procedures in line with the provisions of the Public Procurement Act.

The government said the measures form part of ongoing public financial management reforms designed to reduce waste, strengthen oversight of public spending and ensure value for money across federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Analysts say the reduction in imprest limits reflects the administration's determination to enforce stricter expenditure controls amid ongoing economic reforms and efforts to improve revenue management.

The directive takes immediate effect, with accounting officers across federal institutions expected to ensure full compliance with the new guidelines.