Kogi State governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has charged Auditors-General for Local Governments and Area Councils across Nigeria to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) and modern auditing tools to strengthen accountability and improve governance.
Ododo gave the charge yesterday in Lokoja while declaring open the 30th Annual Conference of Auditors-General for Local Governments/Area Councils in Nigeria, with the theme: “Repositioning Auditors-General for Governance Excellence in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Towards Global Best Practices in Local Government Audit.”
The governor said public resources carried a moral responsibility, stressing that every naira allocated by government represented an expectation for improved roads, healthcare, education, water supply and other services.
He urged auditors to move beyond routine compliance checks and ensure that public expenditure delivered value to citizens.
According to him, AI, data analytics, machine learning, predictive modelling, geospatial intelligence and drone technology could enable auditors to examine large volumes of transactions, detect unusual patterns and identify risks before they resulted in losses.
He, however, cautioned that technology must not replace professional judgment and integrity, saying, “Technology is a tool, not a conscience.”
Ododo, who was formerly the Auditor-General for Local Governments in Kogi State, said his experience in the position gave him a deep understanding of the pressures and responsibilities associated with public auditing.
He said auditors must remain independent, courageous and professional while ensuring that audit findings translated into reforms and stronger financial systems.
The governor also noted that the Supreme Court judgment affirming the financial autonomy of Local Governments had increased the need for transparency, prudence and accountability in the management of council resources.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and deepening true federalism, stressing that autonomy must be matched by accountability.
Ododo disclosed that his administration had continued to strengthen the state’s audit institutions following the commissioning of the Kogi State Audit House in January.
He said the facility was being equipped with modern audit technologies and infrastructure, while contract staff engaged during his tenure as Auditor-General for Local Governments had been converted to permanent appointments.
The governor added that his administration was at the final stages of approving a statewide recruitment exercise to strengthen manpower in the state’s audit institutions.
He further disclosed that Kogi had entered into a four-year Memorandum of Understanding with the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation for capacity development involving audit offices in the state.
Ododo said strengthening audit institutions was part of his administration’s broader efforts to block revenue leakages, improve financial controls and build institutions capable of delivering sustainable development.
He urged the auditors to ensure that audit reports became instruments of reform rather than documents left on shelves.
Earlier, the Kogi State Auditor-General for Local Governments, Hon. Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, commended Governor Ododo for his transparency and financial discipline.
Adabenege urged auditors to strictly adhere to financial rules and professional standards in the discharge of their responsibilities
The governor welcomed the Auditor-General for the Federation, Dr Shaakaa Kanyitor Chira, Auditors-General from across the federation, traditional rulers, development partners and other participants to the conference.
He also acknowledged the Special Guest of Honour, Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, who was unable to attend the event due to circumstances beyond his control.
Ododo urged participants to leave the conference with renewed commitment to public service, saying Nigeria needed auditors who could combine professional experience with technological innovation to protect public resources and deepen public trust.
Earlier, the Kogi State Auditor-General for Local Governments, Hon. Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, commended Governor Ododo for his transparency and financial discipline.
Adabenege urged auditors to strictly adhere to financial rules and professional standards in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The governor subsequently declared the 30th Annual Conference officially open.
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