Auditors-General Call for Stronger Anti-Corruption Efforts by Government Officials

The Body of Federal and State Auditors-General of Nigeria has urged government functionaries to intensify efforts in combating corruption across the country.

The National Chairman of the body, Sunday Adegoke, made the appeal on Monday during the flag-off of a four-day capacity-building workshop for auditors-general of state and local governments in the Southeast zone, held in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

Adegoke emphasized that financial misappropriation and other corrupt practices are global challenges that require urgent action in Nigeria.

“The public finance actors, especially key government functionaries managing public funds, have a primary responsibility to ensure that this menace is curtailed,” Adegoke stated.

He further noted the importance of detecting and preventing fraud in public finance management to curb financial misappropriation. “There is always a possibility that public finance managers may encounter fraud.

Detecting or preventing these occurrences is essential to stopping financial misappropriation and corruption in Nigeria,” he added.

Adegoke, who also serves as the Edo State Auditor-General, explained that the workshop was focused on “enhancing public sector auditors’ performance for relevance and value addition.”

He said the training would equip members with the necessary skills to uphold auditing standards in line with organizational requirements.

He stressed the importance of auditors discharging their duties diligently to detect irregularities in financial reports and prevent fraud.

“As auditors, we act as reviewers, examining submitted reports and assessing the financial management system.

When fraud is detected, we report it to ensure that appropriate actions are taken according to the law,” Adegoke said.

The chairman also highlighted the importance of auditors working within the framework of Nigeria’s Constitution, ensuring that their reports are properly submitted to the respective state Houses of Assembly.

He warned that any auditor found violating professional codes of conduct would face legal consequences.

Dr. Samuel Uduma, the head of the sub-supreme body in Ebonyi State, described the workshop as timely and beneficial, noting that it would provide auditors with the latest knowledge required for the public auditing profession.

Uduma commended Governor Francis Nwifuru for sponsoring the event, lauding it as a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country.

“This training will greatly benefit auditors-general by keeping them up to date with best practices in public auditing,” he remarked.