Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called for greater collaboration between federal and state auditors-general to strengthen Nigeria’s accountability ecosystem.
The governor made the call at the 54th bi-annual conference of the Body of Federal and State Auditors-General, held at the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.
Represented by his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, Sanwo-Olu spoke on the theme, “Nigerian Accountability Ecosystem: Leveraging on Performance Audit for Effective Governance and Transparency.”
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He stated that sharing best practices, harmonising audit standards, and investing in capacity building would enhance the nation’s collective ability to identify inefficiencies and promote transparency.
“To build a robust accountability ecosystem in Nigeria, collaboration between federal and state auditors-general is essential. Sharing best practices, harmonising 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.l
Sanwo-Olu stated hat accountability remains the cornerstone of democracy, adding that auditors-general play a crucial role in ensuring that public officials and institutions are held answerable for their actions and decisions.
He emphasised that leveraging technology—such as data analytics, real-time monitoring, and blockchain—can revolutionise the audit process by enhancing efficiency and reducing susceptibility to manipulation.
Consequently, the governor urged auditors-general to embrace innovation in audit methodologies and to foster both inter-agency and inter-governmental cooperation.
He also advocated for stronger legal frameworks that empower auditors, and, most importantly, encouraged them to remain steadfast in their commitment to integrity and impartiality.
Sanwo-Olu noted that Lagos State has adopted performance auditing as a key mechanism for evaluating policies and projects.
He highlighted that, through rigorous performance audits, the government had identified bottlenecks in public transportation, healthcare delivery, and education, enabling the state to implement targeted reforms that have yielded tangible results.
He further stated that the state has consistently prioritised transparency and accountability across all spheres of governance.
The governor assured that the state government’s commitment to these principles is evident in initiatives such as the Lagos State Public Procurement Law, the Open Budget Portal, and the digitisation of government services—efforts that, he stressed, have enhanced public trust and improved service delivery.
Also speaking, the Lagos State Head of Service, Olabode Agoro—represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service, Olasunkanmi Oyegbola—implored auditors at both state and federal levels not to see themselves as “policemen” of the system.
He said but rather as partners in progress with all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) they work with.
He added that auditors must ensure that the values of quality, integrity, and accountability are consistently promoted in the public service.
In his address, the Auditor-General for the Federation, Shaakaa Chira, stressed that auditors must build stronger institutional frameworks, invest in training and technology, and foster inter-agency collaboration.
He added that by doing so, “we will not only improve audit outcomes but also restore public confidence in governance.”
Chira affirmed that his office remains committed to working closely with auditors-general across states and local governments to advance shared 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 further noted that auditors are consistently mandated to serve as watchdogs of public resources, providing independent assurance to the people and acting as representatives within the legislative framework.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Lagos State Auditor-General, Muyiwa Adetola, reaffirmed the commitment of the body of auditors-general to transparency, accountability, and good governance.
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According to Adetola, “The theme of the 54th conference—Nigeria Accountability Ecosystem: Leveraging on Performance Audit for Effective Governance and Transparency—aligns with the state’s vision for the auditing profession in Nigeria, which is encapsulated in the phrase ‘a force for good.’”
He stressed that there is no doubt that auditing serves as a force for good governance, transparency, and integrity.
He stated that being a “force for good” is a call to action for every auditor-general to unite in promoting these three core virtues.
