Governor Muhammad Bago of Niger State has invited the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) to conduct an audit of the state’s financial records as part of efforts to strengthen transparency, address discrepancies, and enhance fiscal management.
The governor made the announcement on Tuesday while declaring open the 20th Northern Zone Accountants’ Conference in Minna.
The event, themed “Accountability and National Re-orientation: Unlocking Nigeria’s Socio-Economic Potentials,” convened policymakers and financial experts to explore strategies for sustainable development.
Bago noted that the independent audit would not only serve the people of Niger State but also set a benchmark for other states. He emphasized that transparency and fiscal discipline remain vital to good governance and economic progress.
“The theme of this conference is timely and reflects the realities of our nation. Accountability, rebuilding trust, fostering national values, and stimulating economic growth are imperatives we must pursue relentlessly,” he said.
He also reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening accountability institutions and urged participants to produce actionable recommendations that could help governments at all levels restore public confidence.
ICAN President, Malam Haruna Yahaya, welcomed the partnership and assured that the audit would be conducted independently and without compromise.
Also speaking, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, described the conference theme as aligned with the national agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, stressing that accountability forms the foundation of every thriving society.
Represented by the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Jibrin Baba-Ndace, the minister said his ministry was committed to strengthening citizen engagement and opening up government processes, adding that accountability must be embraced collectively to unlock Nigeria’s future.