Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has called for collaboration between the Federal and State Auditors-General to build a robust accountability ecosystem in Nigeria.
Sanwo-Olu made the call on Wednesday at the 54th Bi-Annual Conference of the Body of Federal and States Auditors-General, with the theme “Nigerian Accountability Ecosystem: Leveraging on Performance Audit for Effective Governance and Transparency,” held at the Grand Ballroom, Marriott Hotel, GRA Ikeja, Lagos.
The Governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, added that sharing best practices, harmonizing audit standards, and investing in capacity building will enhance the nation’s collective ability to detect inefficiencies and promote transparency.
According to him, “To build a robust accountability ecosystem in Nigeria, collaboration between federal and state auditors-general is essential. Sharing best practices, harmonizing audit standards, and investing in capacity building will enhance our collective ability to detect inefficiencies and promote transparency.
“Without accountability, governance becomes opaque, and corruption thrives. As custodians of public funds, auditors-general play a pivotal role in safeguarding the integrity of our public institutions,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu noted that accountability is the cornerstone of democracy, adding that Auditors-General ensure that public officials and institutions are answerable for their actions and decisions.
The Governor highlighted that leveraging technology, such as data analytics, real-time monitoring, and blockchain, can revolutionize the audit process, making it more efficient and less susceptible to manipulation.
He, therefore, urged the auditors-general to embrace innovation in audit methodologies, foster inter-agency and inter-governmental cooperation, advocate for stronger legal frameworks that empower auditors, and most importantly, remain steadfast in their commitment to integrity and impartiality.
Besides, the Governor elucidated that Lagos has embraced performance audit as a key mechanism to evaluate its policies and projects, citing that through rigorous performance audits, the government has identified bottlenecks in public transportation, healthcare delivery, and education, enabling Lagos State to implement targeted reforms that have yielded tangible results.
He also stated that the State has consistently prioritized transparency and accountability in all spheres of government. He assured that the state government’s commitment to these principles is reflected in initiatives such as the Lagos State Public Procurement Law, the Open Budget Portal, and the digitization of government services, stressing that the efforts have enhanced public trust and improved service delivery.
Also, Speaking, Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Olabode Agoro who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service, Mrs. Olasunkanmi Oyegbola, employed auditors at both the state and federal level, not to see themselves as the policeman of the system, but as partners in progress with all the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) that they work with.
He added that they should ensure that the discipline of quality, integrity, and accountability in the public service is promoted.
In his address, the Auditor-General of the Federation, Mr. Shaakaa Kanyitor Chira, stated that auditors must build a stronger institutional framework, invest in training and technology, and foster interagency collaboration, adding that “in doing so, we will not only improve our audit outcomes but also restore public recourse in governance.
Chira stated that his office remains committed to working closely with Auditors-General across the state and local government to advance its common goals. “We are strong together, and our shared ambition of an entrepreneurial future is realistic. We will persevere with professionalism, integrity, and our resolve to achieve results,” he said.
He added that auditors are constantly mandated to serve as a watchdog of public resources, providing independent assurance to the people, and to be a representative in the legislation.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Lagos State Auditor-General, Dr. Muyiwa John Adetola, reaffirmed that the body of the Auditor-General is committed to transparency, accountability, and good governance.
According to Adetola, “The theme for the 54th conference, Nigeria Accountability Ecosystem: Leveraging on performance audit for effective governance and transparency, is in line with the state vision for the auditing profession in the country, which is encapsulated in the following words as a force for God”.
The Auditor-General stressed that there is no doubt that auditing is a force for good governance, transparency, and integrity, adding that a force for good is a call to action for every auditor-general to work together in promoting the three virtues mentioned.
