The Auditor General for the Federation, Shaakaa Chira, has stressed that inclusive economic growth in Nigeria cannot thrive without strong accountability mechanisms. Speaking at the 2025 Nigeria Accountability Summit in Abuja, Chira underscored that economic expansion must benefit all citizens to be sustainable, urging policymakers to prioritize transparent governance and prudent financial management.
The event, themed “Strengthening Accountability for Inclusive Economic Growth,” was organized by Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative (PLSI) in collaboration with civil society organizations, including BudgIT and AccountabilityLab. Chira highlighted that the summit has evolved into a national platform for promoting transparency and responsible governance at both the federal and state levels. He revealed that several of the 17 actionable recommendations from the 2024 summit have already been translated into measurable outcomes aligned with the Federal Government’s eight-point agenda.
Among the key achievements, Chira announced the completion of the Federal Audit Circle, describing it as a milestone that demonstrates Nigeria’s growing commitment to institutional accountability and administrative efficiency. He noted that this reform reflects a generational breakthrough in public finance management and signals a renewed national dedication to fiscal discipline and world-class governance standards.
Chira also outlined how the Office of the Auditor General for the Federation (OAUGF) is modernizing its processes by deploying performance audits, real-time project monitoring, and digital tools. These innovations, he explained, help reduce human discretion, block financial leakages, and enhance traceability in public spending. The OAUGF’s efforts aim to ensure that public investments deliver tangible results in infrastructure, productivity, and employment.
Other speakers at the summit, including Dr. Yemi Kale, Group Chief Economist at Afreximbank, and Dr. Abdullahi Usman Bello, Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, echoed the need for embedding accountability into every government reform. Kale emphasized that inclusive growth requires inclusive governance, calling for independent monitoring frameworks and active citizen engagement. Bello, represented by a board member, praised the summit’s theme, saying it serves as a reminder that “true growth goes beyond numbers — it must be built on fairness, transparency, and integrity.”
source: The Guardian