29th Annual Conference Of Local Government Auditors Opens In Maiduguri

By; SÀDIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri

The 29th Annual Conference of Auditors-General for Local Governments and Area Councils in Nigeria officially opened on Tuesday at the Multi-Purpose Hall of the Government House, Maiduguri.

Themed, “Advancing Local Government Auditing in Nigeria: Global Standards for Fiscal Autonomy, Transparency, and Sustainable Development,” the conference brings together key stakeholders to deliberate on strengthening audit practices at the grassroots level.

The conference was declared open by the Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, who was represented by his Deputy, His Excellency Umar Usman Kadafur.

In his keynote address, Governor Zulum described the conference as both timely and transformative, noting that Nigeria stands at a critical juncture in subnational governance. He emphasized that the constitutional affirmation of Local Government financial autonomy—via direct allocations from the Federation Account—has created a new level of responsibility for internal auditors.

“Auditing is no longer just a retrospective exercise,” the Governor stated. “It must evolve into a strategic, forward-looking function that safeguards public resources, anticipates risks, supports fiscal discipline, and accelerates development at the grassroots.”

He outlined six transformational priorities for advancing local government auditing:Aligning audit practices with global standards such as IPSAS and INTOSAI.Empowering auditors to defend fiscal autonomy through stronger legal and institutional safeguards.

Others are Embracing digital audit tools and data-driven innovations.
Integrating sustainability reporting and ESG compliance into audit frameworks.Enhancing ethics, whistleblower protections, and anti-corruption mechanisms and Championing legislative reforms that guarantee the independence, funding, and authority of local audit institutions.

“These pillars form the foundation for repositioning local government auditing as a strategic tool for transparency, accountability, and sustainable development,” he added.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Conference of Auditors-General for Local Governments, Mr. Friday Bema, reaffirmed the importance of transparency, accountability, and good governance at the grassroots level. He acknowledged the pressing challenges faced by states ranging from security concerns to economic hardship and emphasized the need for local governments to maintain integrity and service delivery to the people.

Also speaking, the Auditor-General for Local Governments of Nigeria, Mr. Shaakaa Kanyito Chira, underscored the critical role of auditors in promoting accountability and governance. He highlighted the recent judicial reaffirmation of financial autonomy for local governments as a turning point, with significant implications for grassroots development. Chira also stressed the importance of adhering to international audit standards, including those from the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI).

The Borno State Auditor-General for Local Governments, Alhaji Babagana Laminu, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Governor Zulum for his approval and support in hosting the conference. He commended the Governor’s unwavering commitment to good governance and accountability in Borno State.

The opening ceremony featured goodwill messages from the Commissioners for Finance, Local Government and Emirate Affairs, and the Head of Service, all of whom encouraged participants to engage actively in the sessions, share expertise, and contribute meaningfully to the future of local government auditing in Nigeria.

The conference is expected to span several days, with presentations, technical sessions, and panel discussions aimed at strengthening the institutional capacity of audit institutions across the country.