KOGI HOSTS 30TH CONFERENCE OF AUDITORS-GENERAL FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

By Muslimat Itopa

The Kogi State Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has called on auditors to move beyond checking whether public funds were spent according to rules and determine whether such expenditure achieved its intended purpose.

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo made the call on Monday while declaring open the 30th Annual Conference of Auditors-General for Local Governments and Area Councils in Nigeria at Glass House, Government House, Lokoja.

The Governor said the importance of auditing has become greater following the Supreme Court judgment affirming the financial autonomy of Local Governments, stressing that greater autonomy must come with greater accountability.

Speaking from his experience as a former Auditor-General for Local Governments in Kogi State, Governor Ododo said auditors must be courageous and professional in examining public records, identifying weaknesses and ensuring that government obtains value from public resources.

He said public resources carry a moral responsibility because they ultimately belong to the people.

Governor Ododo urged auditors to embrace Artificial Intelligence and modern technology to strengthen accountability and improve governance.

He said, “Artificial Intelligence can identify a pattern; the auditor must understand what that pattern means.”

The Governor also called on participants to ensure that audit reports become instruments of reform rather than documents that merely occupy shelves.

The Auditor-General for the Federation, Mr Shaakaa Chira, said the theme of the conference is timely and reflects the changing demands of public sector auditing.

Mr Chira said the increasing digitisation of public financial management systems requires a corresponding transformation in the tools, skills and methodologies used by auditors.

He stressed that Artificial Intelligence should be regarded as an assistant and not a replacement for professional judgment.

Mr Chira stated, “AI is an assistant. Relying on AI does not exonerate you from any wrongdoing.”

The Auditor-General for the Federation said greater access to public resources must be accompanied by strong accountability mechanisms to ensure that allocations translate into better roads, primary healthcare, basic education, water, sanitation and other essential services.

He commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his commitment to public accountability and institutional capacity building, particularly the improvement of the State Audit House and collaboration with the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation on capacity development.

Earlier, the Kogi State Auditor-General for Local Governments and host of the conference, Alhaji Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, welcomed the Auditor-General for the Federation and other participants to Kogi State.

Alhaji Adabenege urged participants to ensure that the deliberations produce practical solutions that would improve auditing and governance.

He said auditing is not merely about identifying errors, but also about strengthening systems, protecting public funds and building citizens’ trust in government.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Forum of Auditors-General for Local Governments and Auditor-General for Local Governments in Borno State, Alhaji Babagana Laminu, described the conference as a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen public sector accountability and promote excellence in Local Government auditing.

Alhaji Laminu said the theme, “Repositioning Auditors-General for Local Government Governance Excellence in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Towards Global Best Practices in Local Government Audit,” reflects the realities of the rapidly evolving governance landscape.

He noted that Artificial Intelligence is reshaping public administration globally and challenged auditors to remain proactive in embracing innovation while preserving the principles of independence, integrity and professional judgment.