Breaking the 26-Year jinx: Nigeria’s Parliament Finally Acts on Audit Accountability - The Source

ADVERTISEMENT
  • Landing Page
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Buy JNews
  • Login
The Source
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Entertainment
  • Opinions
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Crime
  • World News
  • Parliament
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Entertainment
  • Opinions
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Crime
  • World News
  • Parliament
No Result
View All Result
The Source
No Result
View All Result
Home Opinions

Breaking the 26-Year jinx: Nigeria’s Parliament Finally Acts on Audit Accountability

The Source by The Source
August 4, 2025
in Opinions
0
Speakership Battle: Pressure On Shettima, Adamu To Stop ‘aggrieved Aspirants Coalition’
0
SHARES
22
VIEWS
Share on Facebookshare on whatsappShare on Twitter

By Joshua Afolabi

For the first time since Nigeria’s return to democratic governance in 1999, the House of Representatives has officially adopted the recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) based on the 2019 and 2020 Auditor-General’s reports—a historic step toward public sector accountability after more than two decades of neglect.

At the centre of this landmark decision lies a troubling discovery: ₦103.8 billion and $950,912.05 in public funds remain unaccounted for, misappropriated across 31 ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).

Presenting the motion, PAC Chairman Rep. Bamidele Salam declared, “This is not just a matter of numbers; it’s a matter of national integrity. We must bridge the accountability gap and reclaim the public trust.”

A Quarter-Century of Inaction

Since 1999, Auditor-General’s reports detailing systemic financial breaches have routinely been ignored by lawmakers. Mr. Patrick Giwa, former Clerk of the House and pioneer PAC Clerk, lamented: “PAC members draft hundreds of reports with thousands of recommendations. But none have been considered. It’s a national embarrassment.”

Mr. Giwa revealed that Auditors often face not just bureaucratic obstacles but also physical threats while probing MDAs. His remarks underscored the long-standing culture of impunity that rendered Nigeria’s audit process ineffective.

When he assumed office, Rep. Salam pledged to change this reality. “This time, we will work harder, smarter, and in a manner that will ensure we recover quite a whole lot of ground. There are lots of expectations from the leadership of the House and from Nigerians,” he said during the PAC’s inaugural meeting.

Two years later, the Committee has delivered on that promise, culminating in the House’s unanimous adoption of the reports.

A Turning Point in Legislative Oversight

Presiding over the historic session, Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu hailed the decision as a defining moment saying: “This is a long-overdue national responsibility. Today, we have chosen accountability.”

While some lawmakers argued for a detailed clause-by-clause review, the majority voted to adopt the general recommendations—signaling rare political will from the Parliamentarians who also crave for change.

What the Audits Exposed:

The Auditor-General’s findings revealed systemic mismanagement, including: Bank of Agriculture – failure to recover over ₦75 billion in loans; Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs – unauthorized spending at the Nigerian Embassy in Ethiopia involving hundreds of millions; Rural Electrification Agency (REA) – ₦1.3 billion spent without proper approvals; Nigeria Customs Service – inconsistent revenue remittances; Federal Ministry of Industry & NEPZA – procurement violations and illegal retention of assets.

Additional breaches ranged from unremitted internally generated revenue to irregular salary disbursements and unauthorized allowances.

Expectations from the Civil Society and the Next Steps:

Following the adoption, the Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative (PLSI) announced plans to petition the ICPC and EFCC to recover the misappropriated funds.

“This is a pivotal moment. For the first time in 26 years, the audit cycle has been completed. Now, enforcement must follow,” Deputy Speaker Kalu reiterated.

PLSI also urged the Senate to pass the long-pending Federal Audit Service Bill, already approved by the House, to give the Auditor-General’s office financial and legal autonomy.

A Test of Democracy

For Nigeria, where corruption and mismanagement have eroded public trust, the decision marks a crucial democratic test. As Kalu put it, “Accountability is the bedrock of good governance. If we fail at this, we fail the people.”

Rep. Salam assured Nigerians of continued vigilance: “We will work harder and smarter to ensure we not only uncover irregularities but enforce accountability.”

Whether this bold move leads to lasting reform—or fades into yet another cycle of inaction—remains the defining question for Nigeria’s democracy.

What Lies Ahead?

EFCC & ICPC – Expected to act on PAC’s findings and begin fund recovery.

Senate Passage of Audit Bill – Pressure mounts for the Senate to send the bill to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assent.

PAC Oversight – The committee must ensure MDAs comply with its recommendations.

Civil Society Role – Groups like PLSI vow to closely track enforcement and recovery efforts.

After 26 years of silence, Nigeria’s parliament has finally spoken. Now, the nation waits to see whether this voice will lead to real accountability—or yet another missed opportunity.

Be the first to read it our next BREAKING NEWS, POLITICS, METRO. Click here to join our WhatsApp group

Tags: Audit AccountabilityNigeriaParliament
Previous Post

Waterways Carnage: Group Accuses NIWA Boss of Gross Incompetence

The Source

The Source

Related Posts

Attacked Osun Monarch: I’ll not Tolerate Violence – Adeleke Reads Riot Act
Opinions

Much ado about Governor Adeleke’s rumoured defection By abiodun KOMOLAFE

by The Source
July 20, 2025
Renewed Hope Vision for Nigerian Youth: Key Gains from the UAE Visit
Opinions

Renewed Hope Vision for Nigerian Youth: Key Gains from the UAE Visit

by The Source
July 20, 2025
Hoodlums Attack Amotekun Operatives, Four Hospitalized
Opinions

Osun Amotekun: A Beacon of Hope for the Grassroots That Propaganda Cannot Dim

by The Source
June 18, 2025
Tinubu, Akpabio, Abbas, Lawmakers Flag Off New National Anthem
Opinions

Sick Nation Debate: APC Vs ADC By Lasisi Olagunju

by The Source
June 17, 2025
Adeleke And Iwo’s First Dual Carriageway, By Sarafa Ibrahim
Opinions

Adeleke And Iwo’s First Dual Carriageway, By Sarafa Ibrahim

by The Source
June 12, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Browse by Category

  • Africa News
  • Business
  • Celebrities
  • Crime
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • HumanAngle
  • News
  • Opinions
  • Parliament
  • Politics
  • Religion
  • Sports
  • Uncategorized
  • World
  • World News

Browse by Tags

Abuja Adeleke APC Aregbesola Atiku Bandits Buhari CBN Chelsea Court Davido EFCC EndSARS FG FIRS Governor Governor Adeleke Health IGP INEC Kaduna Lagos Muslims Nigeria Nigerian Nigerians NUJ Ondo Ooni Osinbajo Osogbo Osun Osun 2022 Osun govt Osun Poly Osun State Oyetola PDP Police SDP Senate Students Tinubu Tunde Odesola US

Categories

  • Africa News
  • Business
  • Celebrities
  • Crime
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • HumanAngle
  • News
  • Opinions
  • Parliament
  • Politics
  • Religion
  • Sports
  • Uncategorized
  • World
  • World News

Browse by Tag

Abuja Adeleke APC Aregbesola Atiku Bandits Buhari CBN Chelsea Court Davido EFCC EndSARS FG FIRS Governor Governor Adeleke Health IGP INEC Kaduna Lagos Muslims Nigeria Nigerian Nigerians NUJ Ondo Ooni Osinbajo Osogbo Osun Osun 2022 Osun govt Osun Poly Osun State Oyetola PDP Police SDP Senate Students Tinubu Tunde Odesola US

Recent Posts

  • Breaking the 26-Year jinx: Nigeria’s Parliament Finally Acts on Audit Accountability
  • Waterways Carnage: Group Accuses NIWA Boss of Gross Incompetence
  • Odumodublvck Plans Exit After Crew’s Breakthrough

© 2022 The Source Nigeria.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Entertainment
  • Opinions
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Crime
  • World News
  • Parliament

© 2022 The Source Nigeria.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Create New Account!

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In