Treasury House Leadership: I’ll Be Fair To All — Ogunjimi

BY COBHAM NSA – The newly appointed Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi, took over the reins of leadership on Monday, pledging fairness to all staff of the Treasury House.

With assurances that no one will be victimise under his watch, Ogunjimi said unity of purpose and the spirit of oneness are required to enable the Accountant General of the Federation’s Office (OAGF) achieve its set goals.

Ogunjimi made the pledge while addressing staff of the OAGF in Abuja, noting that victimization was not part of his agenda though he suffered such fate in the hands of some former chief executives.

According to him, “It is good to be back, this is our home, nobody will drive us out. I want everybody to have the spirit of togetherness.

“I am not in any group, I am not going to polarize the house. If I fail, everyone here has failed. I am ready to commit myself to the service of the public.”

Going down memory lane, the AGF said; “I have been a victim of a Chief Executive calling the Accountant-General to say, I don’t like this Director of Finance and Admin (DFA), I don’t like this director. Please remove him. I’m not going to follow that path as a Leader.”

The AGF, who also promised to maintain the independence of the Treasury as well as shield it from undue external influence, assured directors deployed to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) that they would be protected and given fair hearings at all times.

“I’ll give everybody that open hearing. If anybody comes to me, I’m going to call the Director-in-charge. Tell your own story or whatever you know about it. Then we’ll now decide whether it’s worth it.”

In acknowledging the career implications of troubled relationships with Heads of MDA, Ogunjimi said; “Because sometimes your career may also be at stake. If your Chief Executive doesn’t want you, then there’s no point staying there. Because he or she may frustrate your functions or your life. So we amicably look for a better solution that will make your life also not miserable.”

Importantly too, he canvassed open and transparent communication among the staff saying; “If there’s anything bothering you, disturbing you in the discharge of your functions, I’m here. Talk to me. I’m your AGF. Be free to come to me. I will listen to you. I’m a good listener. I will support you.”

This is as he urged the Treasury staff to handle issues with maturity at all times, adding; “We are one single family. I want that spirit to be in everybody. Whether you are a treasury officer or you are a support staff, the spirit of togetherness and oneness. Treasury is one. Whatever has happened, has happened. We have to move on. The task ahead is enormous. We can’t be fighting ourselves. We must achieve.”

Ogunjimi specifically challenged staff members to put the past behind them and work for the good of the country, explaining that; “During my interview for this job, when I was asked what I would do differently to change the image of the Treasury House.

“I want to put the question back to you. What will you do differently to correct the image of the OAGF? The question is to all staff members. Everyone of us must work to change the perception of the country’s treasury.

“I am ready to commit myself, my life, to the service of this institution. I may not have been who I am today if not for the opportunity provided to me by this service. Therefore, I am here to do everything possible to make sure that Treasury is at the head of all institutions in Nigeria. Please, I beg of you. I beg of you. The past is the past. Let us work, work, work.”

Stressing that Staff must work collectively to improve the Treasury’s image by ensuring that public interest is protected in their responsibilities, Ogunjimi said public perception of the Treasury should be that of national integrity, adding; “Begin to ask yourself, what will you do to change the perception of the Treasury? So everything you are doing, every second, that you are doing will actually impact on the image of the Treasury.”

Speaking at the occasion, Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA) in the OAGF, Mrs Comfort Danladi, assured the new AGF that all Directors and staff of other cadres are fully behind him to enhance the office operations for national development.

She said the antics of outsiders notwithstanding, “We are still one. And we going to move this Treasury forward”, adding; ” On behalf of all the Directors, I want to say that we are going to give you maximum support.

“We are going to speak to you truthfully so we can move forward. This not a new place for you, welcome home”.

Appointed last week by President Bola Tinubu as Nigeria’s new Accountant General, Ogunjimi is taking over from Mrs Oluwatoyin Madein, the immediate past AGF, whose tenure expired on 5th March 2025 after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60 years in service.