FG Financial Transparency: Assent to Audut Service Bill, CSOs pressure Tinubu

…Say assent ’ll build public confidence in fiscal reforms

Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief

A group of seven Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has launched a campaign to urge President Bola Tinubu to assent to the Audit Service Bill passed by the National Assembly. The CSOs are the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), Action Aid Nigeria, Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative, Accountability Lab, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, The Statecraft Report, and BUDGIT.

During a briefing to the media in Abuja, CSJ Lead Director Eze Onyekpere (Esq) explained why the president should act promptly. He said that signing the Bill would cement the fiscal reforms introduced by Tinubu and strengthen the administration’s anti‑corruption efforts by closing revenue leakage channels. “The Bill seeks to strengthen the last mile of public finance management and the anti‑corruption agenda of the Federal Government of Nigeria,” he added.

The Bill proposes the establishment of a Federal Audit Service and a Federal Audit Board, outlines appointment procedures and qualifications for the Auditor-General, and redefines tenure. It expands the Auditor-General’s functions and powers, introduces timelines for statutory duties, holds the Auditor-General accountable, and sets sanctions for audit infractions.

Upon enactment, the Auditor-General would conduct value‑for‑money and performance audits, forensic audits, audits of special funds, classified expenditure, donations, grants, loans, all revenues accruing to the Federal Government, disaster grants and aid, subsidies, performance information, counterpart‑funded projects, and public‑private partnerships.

John Onyeukwu, Founder and Chief Analyst of The Statecraft Report, described the Bill as a critical tool for fighting corruption. He urged Tinubu to sign it as a sign of commitment to the anti‑graft campaign. “It is a good opportunity for President Tinubu to consolidate his fiscal reforms and prove to Nigerians that he is serious about fighting corruption,” he said. “The Audit Service Bill is to improve the efficiency of public spending. It is time to undertake performance audit, value for money audit and we know that the president has committed himself to providing leadership in efficient public finance administration. This is really an opportunity for him to prove it.”

John Elemo, Executive Director of Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative, read the CSOs’ recommendations: “We respectfully urge the signing of the Federal Audit Service Bill into law and to direct the following immediately upon assent: Constitute the Federal Audit Board within 90 days and publish a clear timeline for the appointment of the Director‑General of the Federal Audit Service; Direct the Attorney‑General to publish a plain‑language summary of the Bill’s key provisions for public communication; transparency on what the law does to diffuse misinformation and build public confidence; Communicate assent to the IMF, World Bank, and AFROSAI‑E as a concrete governance reform delivery under the Renewed Hope Agenda, and request a brief statement of acknowledgement for the public record; Set a public implementation benchmark, the Federal Audit Board seated, and implementation proceeds with dispatch.”

How the Bill will make the Auditor‑General more efficient

In addition to traditional powers, the Bill would give the Auditor‑General the authority to decide the methodology for audits and the scope of audit work, preserving the office’s independence. New powers include unrestricted access to information, the ability to summon witnesses and take evidence on oath, and to use courts to compel appearance. The Auditor‑General would also have investigative powers where prima facie evidence warrants investigation.

Currently, the Auditor‑General cannot enforce sanctions against public officers who breach financial regulations. The Bill authorises the office to surcharge any expenditure not properly accounted for or any loss or deficiency incurred, and to revoke any surcharge imposed. It also allows the Auditor‑General to direct the withholding of emoluments and allowances of any person who fails or refuses to respond to audit queries within 30 days, and to continue withholding until compliance. The Auditor‑General may examine accounts and records of individuals or corporate bodies where public funds have been traced or suspected of illegal transfer.

The Bill requires Internal Auditors to submit Internal Audit Reports to the Auditor‑General monthly, quarterly, and half‑yearly, facilitating the Auditor‑General’s work.

Express Declaration of Audit Reports as Public Documents

Federal Government audit reports will be uploaded to the Service’s website after submission to the National Assembly, according to the Bill. This will improve public access to audit documents and support the work of the media and civil society.

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