- Assures 2023 Audit report coming in two week
BY COBHAM NSA – The Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Dr. Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi, has challenged the World Bank to always fast-track the approval and release of critical project funding to support the country’s development priorities..
In a tone that clearly conveys Nigeria is not seeking handouts, Dr Ogunjimi reminded the global lender that these facilities are repayable loans, not grants, noting that bureaucratic delays are stalling national development goals that the country is already committed to financing
The AGF, who made the remarks when a World Bank delegation led by Mrs. Treed Lane, Manager of the World Bank Team, visited him in Abuja, said as a responsible borrower, Nigeria deserves timely consideration and processing of its funding requests.
He said prompt approval and disbursement of project funds to support Nigeria’s development priorities remain crucial as prolonged delays in the approval process could undermine the government’s interest in accessing such facilities.
“If approvals take more than six months, the Nigerian Government may no longer honour such arrangements”, Dr. Ogunjimi said, even as he disclosed that the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) has commenced action on critical issues earlier raised by the World Bank, particularly in the areas of public financial management statements and audit reporting.
A statement by Bawa Mokwa, Director, Press and Public Relations, OAGF, also quoted Dr Ogunjimi as saying the 2023 Audit Report would be submitted to the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation (OAUGF) within two weeks, while work on the 2024 and 2025 audit reports is already in progress.
Addressing digitalization concerns, the AGF told the delegation that the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) system is undergoing a major digital overhaul, assuring that obsolete infrastructure are being replaced with modern technology to drive efficiency and elevate service delivery.
Speaking during the visit, Mrs. Treed Lane hailed Dr. Ogunjimi’s appointment as the new Chairman of the African Association of Accountants-General (AAAG) and urged him to solidify its legacy through intensified digital transformation.
She also emphasized that timely reporting to the Office of the Auditor-General is non-negotiable for ensuring seamless, modern public financial management processes.
