NCPAFG2025: Fiscal governance is not just an administrative responsibility, It is a national imperative – Stakeholders
The 2025 National Conference on Public Accounts and Fiscal Governance has brought renewed calls for concrete reforms in Nigeria’s financial management systems, as top public finance leaders urge the nation to institutionalise accountability and transparency as foundational values.
The Auditor-General for the Federation, Mr. Shaakaa Chira, underscored the importance of aligning the conference’s resolutions with actionable strategies, stressing that they must lead to tangible outcomes.
“This conference is coming at a time when many nations, including ours, are grappling with complex economic challenges such as rising public debt, food insecurity, inflation, and increasing public demand for transparency and fiscal responsibility,” he said.
Chira highlighted the significance of the conference’s theme: “Fiscal Governance in Nigeria: Charting a New Course for Transparency and Sustainable Development”, stating that it reflects the aspirations of millions of Nigerians.
He called on stakeholders to ensure the resolutions support the objectives of the Renewed Hope administration.
“These objectives are not merely aspirations. They are strategic imperatives. We must translate them into concrete and actionable strategies if we are to witness real transformation in our fiscal governance landscape,” he stated.
Calling for enhanced audit performance, stronger oversight, and increased citizen trust in institutions, Chira urged engagement and commitment from all sectors including the legislature, civil society, academia, and development partners.
He reaffirmed his commitment to collaborate with the National Assembly to ensure that the resolutions are achieved and sustained.
The Accountant-General of the Federation, Dr. Shamsudeen Babatunde Ogunjimi, echoed these calls and advocated for a transformative overhaul of Nigeria’s public financial management system.
He pushed for a shift from outdated, delayed audits to real-time transparency enabled by technology and disciplined institutions.
“At the heart of every democracy is the principle that those entrusted with public funds must be answerable to the people,” Ogunjimi stated.
The Accountant General warned that fiscal inefficiencies are no longer affordable.
“Every naira that is mismanaged is one less for education, healthcare, infrastructure, or security,” he said.
Ogunjimi praised tools like the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and Remita for improving transparency and reducing leakages but emphasized the need for these systems to be institutionalised across all levels of government.
He urged the timely publication of audited accounts, full enforcement of audit recommendations, and greater capacity-building for audit institutions.
MDAs, he said, must embrace digital tools that reduce corruption opportunities, while audit reports must drive real, measurable action not remain ignored in legislative archives.
Appreciating international development partners for their support, Ogunjimi stressed the need for this assistance to yield sustainable reforms.
He pointed to major reforms, such as subsidy removal and updates to key legislation, as evidence of a shift toward fiscal discipline.
Reiterating that accountability must be a shared national responsibility, Ogunjimi called on all arms of government, civil society, and citizens to build a culture where public officials are held to the highest standards.
“We must build a culture where accountability is not optional, where public officials are held to the highest standards, and where decisions about public resources are made with the well-being of future generations in mind,” he said.
