The Nigerian National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committees (NASS PAC) are set for revitalization to enhance government accountability and transparency.
Hon. Bamidele Salam, chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, made the announcement during the inauguration of Nigeria’s National Association of Public Accounts Committees in Abuja on Tuesday. He was speaking on behalf of himself and his counterpart in the Senate, Senator Ahmed Wadada, who was absent due to a national engagement.
“The revitalization of the Public Accounts Committees is critical to ensuring that our financial management systems are transparent and effective,” Salam stated. This effort is crucial to ensure that government finances are properly scrutinized, transparent, and used efficiently for public welfare. The Public Accounts Committees play a vital role in reviewing government expenditures, ensuring fiscal responsibility, and safeguarding public funds in Nigeria. Unfortunately, the committees have struggled with a lack of engagement, limiting their ability to effectively influence financial oversight and ensure accountability.
Hon. Salam emphasized the importance of revitalizing these committees, saying, “It is high time we deepened our engagement and strengthened collaboration between the National and State Assemblies.” The Nigerian government recognizes the critical need to enhance the committees’ role in auditing both national and state finances for better oversight. This revitalization will also foster stronger collaboration between the National Assembly and state houses of assembly in handling financial matters across the country.
With a focus on strengthening governance, the committees will now engage more actively in global conversations on financial transparency and accountability. As part of the revitalization plan, a national conference is scheduled for March 2025 to focus on deepening discussions around accountability and financial management. The upcoming conference will gather representatives from public accounts committees across Nigeria, as well as international experts on financial oversight and auditing.
Hon. Salam concluded, “Our goal is to catch up with outstanding audit reports, ensuring that we remain at par with international financial standards.” By the end of 2025, the goal is to bring Nigeria up to date with the 2022 and 2023 Auditor General’s reports, ensuring timely review. This move will bring Nigeria in line with international standards for financial accountability, auditing processes, and public sector financial transparency.
Ultimately, the revitalized Public Accounts Committees will ensure that taxpayer funds are spent judiciously, efficiently, and in full compliance with the law. In doing so, the initiative seeks to restore public confidence in government institutions, foster good governance, and improve financial transparency across Nigeria.
