The Auditor General of the Federation, Shaakaa Chira, has revealed that the current budget of ₦8 billion for the Auditor General’s office is insufficient to effectively audit over 1,000 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) and manage Nigeria’s annual budget of ₦28.7 trillion.
Chira’s comments were made during the public presentation of the Office of Auditor General’s strategic plan for 2024-2028, held in Abuja.
The strategic plan, Chira explained, outlines the office’s goals to support the government in tackling corruption, minimizing waste, and preventing revenue leakages.
However, he stressed that the current budget allocation is inadequate to meet these objectives.
“The Office of Auditor General of the Federation (OAuGF) is responsible for auditing more than 1,000 MDAs, including Nigeria’s Foreign Missions,” Chira said.
“Yet, despite the federal government’s increasing budget, our allocation has not kept pace with the growing demands of our tasks.”
For the 2024 financial year, the Auditor General’s office was allocated ₦8,165,312,037.00.
Of this amount, 65% is earmarked for personnel costs.
This leaves the office with limited resources to audit the federal government’s budget, which stands at ₦28.78 trillion.
The situation is further complicated by a proposed budget increase of ₦6.2 trillion, which would raise the total budget to ₦34.9 trillion.
Chira pointed out that while Nigeria’s constitution broadly supports the independence of the Auditor General’s office, it lacks specific provisions regarding operational and financial independence.
He noted that many countries support their audit offices with dedicated audit laws.
“I want to acknowledge the 10th House of Representatives, especially the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), for advancing the Federal Audit Service Bill,” Chira said.
“I urge the 10th Senate to expedite the passage of this bill to enhance the operational capacity of our office.”
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, also spoke at the event, affirming the government’s commitment to improving Nigeria’s audit system.
Akume expressed confidence that with adequate support, the audit office could better oversee public spending and help curb financial mismanagement.
The call for increased funding comes amid growing concerns about the transparency and efficiency of public resource management in Nigeria.
The Auditor General’s office plays a crucial role in ensuring that government funds are used appropriately and that public institutions are held accountable.
With the Auditor General’s office facing a significant shortfall in its budget, there is growing pressure on lawmakers and government officials to address this issue.
The current funding constraints highlight the need for urgent reforms to ensure that the office can effectively carry out its responsibilities.
The strategic plan for 2024-2028 aims to strengthen the audit process and enhance the office’s ability to detect and address financial irregularities.
However, without adequate funding, the implementation of these plans remains in jeopardy.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with economic challenges and governance issues, the need for a well-resourced and independent audit office has never been more critical.
The Auditor General’s call for increased funding underscores the importance of financial oversight in maintaining the integrity of public administration.
