The House of Representatives has attributed Nigeria’s persistent corruption to weaknesses in the country’s auditing and accounting systems, which they say deprive the government of crucial revenue and hinder development.
Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Rep. Bamidele Salam, highlighted these concerns during the budget defence session for the Office of the Auditor General for the Federation (OAuGF). He pointed out that the office’s limited resources and manpower prevent effective oversight of nearly 1,000 government ministries, departments, and agencies.
“If the Auditor General’s office is well-funded and staffed, we could prevent corruption instead of reacting to it. This proactive approach would significantly reduce corruption in Nigeria,” Salam stated.
He also criticized the poor implementation of the capital component of the 2024 budget, citing its negative impact on governance and development goals. Salam urged the Auditor General to accelerate the submission of annual reports to ensure accountability and strengthen parliamentary oversight.
In response, Auditor General Shaakaa Kanyitor Chira outlined challenges such as underfunding and understaffing but assured lawmakers that the office is working to address backlogs and improve efficiency.
The PAC and the OAuGF emphasized the urgent need for structural reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s financial oversight and combat corruption effectively.
