Tinubu Govt Rolls Out Fresh Rules For Ministers, Top Officials

The Federal Government has introduced fresh financial and procurement guidelines directing all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to refrain from awarding contracts or entering into financial commitments without obtaining the necessary budgetary approval and cash backing.

According to Ireporter Online, the directive was contained in a Federal Treasury Circular dated July 31, 2026, and signed by the Accountant-General of the Federation, Dr. Shamseldeen Ogunjimi.

The circular was addressed to ministers, permanent secretaries, heads of extra-ministerial departments and agencies, accounting officers, and federal pay officers as part of efforts to strengthen fiscal discipline and ensure compliance with public finance regulations.

The Accountant-General explained that the new measures became necessary following reported cases of non-compliance with the provisions of the Public Procurement Act 2007 and other financial regulations governing government expenditure.

Under the new directive, MDAs are prohibited from issuing contract awards, signing agreements or taking on any financial obligations without first securing a Warrant or Authority to Incur Expenditure (AIE) covering the value of the contract or approved commitment.

The circular further instructed all agencies to attach Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS)-generated Warrants or AIEs as evidence of available funding before processing payments or requesting a Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) “No Objection” certificate.

It also directed that financial commitments, including procurement invoices and employee-related obligations, must not exceed the amount covered by available warrants, stressing that government institutions must operate strictly within approved budgetary limits.

In addition, the Bureau of Public Procurement was instructed to process only applications for “No Objection” certificates that are accompanied by valid Warrants or AIEs confirming the availability of funds.

The Accountant-General reminded accounting officers that awarding or signing contracts without budgetary provision, approval and cash backing constitutes an offence under the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Act 2000.

As part of measures to improve budget implementation and cash management, the Federal Government directed all MDAs to submit annual and quarterly cash plans for their capital expenditure to the Office of the Accountant-General within the stipulated deadlines.

The circular also emphasised that projects should be prioritised in line with national development objectives, while the Cash Management Technical Committee will continue reviewing implementation plans and advising the Federal Cash Management Committee on priority projects.

Accounting officers, chief executives, directors of finance, internal auditors and other relevant officials were urged to ensure full compliance with the new guidelines to promote transparency, accountability and prudent management of public funds.