The Federal Government has increased the monthly imprest allowance for ministers to N700,000, contrary to reports suggesting that the allowance had been reduced.
The adjustment was contained in the 2026 Annual General Imprest Warrant issued by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), which outlines approved imprest limits for public officials and government agencies.
Earlier reports had claimed that the government slashed imprest allocations for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), with ministers, permanent secretaries, directors-general and directors reportedly receiving N700,000, N500,000, N300,000 and N100,000 respectively under a new cost-cutting arrangement.
However, findings by DAILY POST revealed that the approved figures represent significant increases rather than reductions.
According to the 2026 warrant, ministers will now receive N700,000 monthly as imprest, up from N300,000 previously, representing a 133 per cent increase. Directors and other senior government officials also recorded substantial upward adjustments, with some categories receiving increases of up to 199 per cent.
Speaking on the development, the spokesperson for the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Bawa Mokwa, confirmed that the imprest allocations were raised.
“Imprest was increased for ministers and for others,” Mokwa told DAILY POST, attributing the review to prevailing economic realities in the country.
Imprest funds are typically used to cover routine official expenses, including office stationery, refreshments and other operational needs.
The increase comes at a time when many Nigerians continue to grapple with rising living costs despite the implementation of the new N70,000 national minimum wage, which translates to N840,000 annually for workers.
Meanwhile, organised labour has continued to push for a more substantial wage review. The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has advocated a minimum wage of N1 million per month, while the Nigerian Governors Forum has proposed N100,000 as a more sustainable benchmark.
The latest increase in government imprest allocations is expected to spark fresh debate over public spending priorities amid ongoing economic challenges facing ordinary Nigerians.
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