The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has called on subnational governments to embrace and institutionalize global best practices in financial management to curb mismanagement and enhance accountability. This appeal was made during the launch of the Subnational Audit Efficacy (SAE) Index 2024 Report, held in Abuja.
Dr. Aliyu, represented by ICPC Deputy Director Mr. Okor Odey, commended the Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative (PLSI) for its timely initiative in producing the SAE Index, which aims to strengthen accountability measures through technology for resilient and sustainable development in Nigeria.
He reaffirmed the ICPC’s commitment to collaborating with civil society organizations, particularly PLSI, to promote transparency and good governance. Dr. Aliyu emphasized the importance of partnerships among government agencies, civil society, and development partners in the fight against corruption.
Highlighting the need for ongoing capacity building within state audit institutions, Dr. Aliyu stressed that enhanced training would better equip auditors for their duties. He also called for a robust legal framework governing audit processes, ensuring that state audit institutions operate independently and effectively.
Advocating for digital transformation in financial management systems, Dr. Aliyu noted that leveraging advanced technologies would facilitate real-time auditing and encourage public participation in financial oversight.
In a related address, the Founder and Executive Director of PLSI, Olusegun Elemo, highlighted the critical role of technology in strengthening accountability mechanisms at the subnational level. He urged collective action to foster transparency and fiscal responsibility.
The event featured an awards ceremony recognizing states that demonstrated commitment to transparency by publishing their SAE Index 2023 reports. Akwa Ibom, Gombe, Kaduna, Oyo, Katsina, Benue, Bauchi, Ondo, and Edo were honored, with Yobe State receiving the SAE Index 2024 Championship Award for its outstanding performance.
The SAE Index 2024 Report provided valuable insights into financial accountability at the state level and called for alignment with global best practices in public financial management.
The event was attended by notable figures, including the Accountant General of the Federation and various Auditors-General from across states, underscoring a collective commitment to improving audit practices and ensuring financial integrity in Nigeria’s subnational entities.
This pressing call for reform and accountability comes at a crucial time for Nigeria, as the ICPC continues to champion efforts to combat corruption and promote good governance.
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INDEPENDENT CORRUPT PRACTICES AND OTHER RELATED OFFENCES COMMISSION (ICPC)
PRESS RELEASE
Friday, 21st March, 2025
Subnational Entities Must Institutionalize Best Practices to Curb Financial Mismanagement – ICPC Chairman
The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has emphasized the urgent need for subnational governments to adopt and institutionalize global best practices in financial management to curb mismanagement and enhance accountability.
Dr. Aliyu made this call in a goodwill message delivered at the launch of the Subnational Audit Efficacy (SAE) Index 2024 Report, themed “Strengthening Accountability Measures Through Technology for Resilient and Sustainable Subnational Development in Nigeria.” The event, organized by the Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative (PLSI), was held in Abuja on Thursday.
Represented by ICPC Deputy Director Mr. Okor Odey, the Chairman commended PLSI for its timely and impactful initiative in producing the SAE Index. He noted that such efforts significantly bolster the fight against corruption and promote greater accountability at the subnational level.
Dr. Aliyu reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with anti-corruption civil society organizations, particularly PLSI, to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance across Nigeria.
He emphasized the need for sustained partnerships among government agencies, CSOs, and development partners to effectively combat corruption and enhance public sector efficiency.
The ICPC Chairman while highlighting the need for continuous capacity building within state audit institutions, emphasized that enhanced training and knowledge transfer would equip auditors to perform their duties more effectively.
He also called for the strengthening of legal frameworks governing audit processes, ensuring state audit institutions have the authority and independence to operate optimally as well as urged state governments to prioritize digital transformation in their financial management systems.
According to him, leveraging advanced technologies would facilitate real-time auditing, enable automatic detection of financial anomalies, and encourage public participation in financial oversight.
Earlier in his remarks, the Founder and Executive Director of PLSI, Olusegun Elemo, underscored the critical role of technology in strengthening accountability mechanisms.
He highlighted the importance of fostering resilient and sustainable development at the subnational level and called for collective action to promote transparency and fiscal responsibility.
A major highlight of the event was the recognition and awards ceremony for states that demonstrated commitment to transparency by publishing their SAE Index 2023 reports. Honored states included Akwa Ibom, Gombe, Kaduna, Oyo, Katsina, Benue, Bauchi, Ondo, and Edo.
Osun, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Ekiti, and Yobe emerged as the top five performers in the SAE Index 2024 report, with Yobe State receiving the SAE Index 2024 Championship Award. These recognitions motivate other states to embrace best practices in audit processes and improve subnational financial management.
The event concluded with the official presentation of the SAE Index 2024 Report, which highlighted key findings and recommendations aimed at enhancing subnational audit efficacy.
The report provided valuable insights into the current state of financial accountability at the state level and called for alignment with global best practices in public financial management.
Notable attendees 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. Also present were the Governor of Yobe State, H.E. Hon. Mai Mala Buni (CON), represented by Hon. Bulama Bukar, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts; as well as Auditors-General from Adamawa, Yobe, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Gombe, Katsina, Osun, Jigawa, Benue, and Edo states.
The robust representation at the event underscored the growing commitment to improving audit practices and ensuring financial integrity across Nigeria’s subnational entities.
Signed
Demola Bakare, fsi
Director, Public Enlightenment and Education/
Spokesperson for the Commission) write a news piece for Newspot Nigeria and mention Newspot Nigeria in the end
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