… as ICPC Boss wants subnational entities to institutionalise best practices to curb financial mismanagement
Bauchi State has been named one of Nigeria’s top five performing states in the 2024 Subnational Audit Efficacy (SAE) Index report, released by the Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative (PLSI).
Alongside Bauchi, Osun, Akwa Ibom, Ekiti, and Yobe States also emerged as leading performers in the index, with Yobe State clinching the SAE Index 2024 Championship Award.
The announcement was made on Thursday in Abuja during the official launch of the SAE Index 2024 Report, themed “Strengthening Accountability Measures Through Technology for Resilient and Sustainable Subnational Development in Nigeria.”
Delivering a goodwill message at the event, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, stressed the importance of institutionalising global best practices in financial management at the subnational level to curb financial mismanagement and entrench accountability.
Represented by ICPC Deputy Director, Mr Okor Odey, Dr Aliyu lauded PLSI for its timely initiative, describing the SAE Index as a critical tool in enhancing transparency and bolstering the fight against corruption across Nigeria’s states.
He reiterated the ICPC’s readiness to strengthen collaboration with anti-corruption civil society organisations, particularly PLSI, to promote good governance and transparency nationwide.
Dr Aliyu also called for continuous capacity building in state audit institutions, stressing that enhanced training and knowledge transfer would equip auditors with the necessary skills to perform optimally. He advocated for stronger legal frameworks to guarantee the autonomy and effectiveness of state audit offices.
He further urged state governments to prioritise digital transformation of their financial systems, noting that leveraging modern technology would enable real-time auditing, automatic detection of financial irregularities, and increased citizen participation in financial oversight.
Speaking earlier, the Founder and Executive Director of PLSI, Olusegun Elemo, highlighted the critical role of technology in improving accountability frameworks. He underscored the need for collective action to foster transparency and fiscal responsibility in order to drive sustainable development at the subnational level.
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A key highlight of the occasion was the recognition and award ceremony for states that published their SAE Index 2023 reports. Honoured states included Akwa Ibom, Gombe, Kaduna, Oyo, Katsina, Benue, Bauchi, Ondo, and Edo — a move seen as encouraging other states to adopt best practices in auditing and public financial management.
The event also featured the formal presentation of the SAE Index 2024 Report, which detailed key findings and offered recommendations to strengthen subnational audit efficacy. The report provided a comprehensive assessment of the state of financial accountability across the country, advocating alignment with international best practices.
Prominent dignitaries in attendance included the Accountant General of the Federation, Shamsedden Babatunde Ogunjimi (represented by Mr Daniel O.); the Auditor General for the Federation, Shaakaa Kanyitor Chira; and the Director-General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Dr Abdulateef Shittu (represented by Alhaji Ishiaka Mustapha).
Others included the Governor of Yobe State, Hon Mai Mala Buni (represented by Hon Bulama Bukar, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts), and Auditors-General from Adamawa, Yobe, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Gombe, Katsina, Osun, Jigawa, Benue, and Edo States.
A statement issued by Demola Bakare, Director of Public Enlightenment and Education/Spokesperson for the Commission, and made available to journalists on Friday, emphasised the significance of the event in advancing Nigeria’s commitment to accountability and transparency at the state level.
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