By Adefila Kamal

The office of the Accountant General of the Federation, holds a unique and indispensable role in the public finance landscape of Nigeria. It is tasked with the significant responsibility of overseeing the management of government finances, ensuring accountability, and upholding the highest standards of integrity in public finance expenditure processes and outcomes. As with any nation, integrity is the cornerstone of sound financial management, whether in the public or private sector. This essay explores the formation of the office, underscoring the pivotal role of integrity in accounting practice, while also shedding light on the transformative reforms led by the current Accountant General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein, who has successfully restored the office’s reputation and instilled a renewed sense of fiscal responsibility.
Established under the Civil Services reorganization Decree No. 43 of 1988, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation was established in 1988, in accordance with Section 162(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, which provides for the creation of a special account, known as the ‘Federation Account’. This provision stipulates that the ‘Federation Account’ shall be maintained to house all revenues collected by the Federal Government, with specific exceptions. Moreover, Section 162(10) designates the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation as a prescribed officer. In essence, this office was created to centralize and streamline the management of public finances in Nigeria, with a focus on transparency and accountability.

Accounting projects a picture of the state of the finances of an organization or individual, drilling down its operations to show sustainability or lack thereof which guides relevant stakeholders on decisions and assessment of same. The importance of integrity in both public and private accounting systems and personnel therefore cannot be overstated. Integrity forms the bedrock of ethical financial management, encompassing honesty, transparency, accuracy, and reliability account reports. Accountants, whether in the public or private sector, must adhere to these principles to provide trustworthy financial information. For the public sector, this means safeguarding public funds, ensuring their proper utilization, and preventing corruption. In the private sector, integrity is essential for maintaining investor trust, compliance with regulations, and driving economic growth.

Integrity in accounting is twofold, involving not only the character and ethical conduct of accountants but also the quality and reliability of financial data. Integrity fosters a culture of honesty and accuracy, which, in turn, improves decision-making among business leaders. Data that lacks integrity, due to errors, manipulation, or incomplete information, can mislead users and lead to detrimental decisions that harm stakeholders.

The immediate past occupant of the OAGF, Mr. Ahmed Idris, didn’t do the office many favours considering the manner of his exit in a cloud of corruption allegations, despite having steered the office through major reforms including the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and deepening of previous reforms. The tenure of Mr. Idris was one that was characterized by controversies and challenges that hit a crescendo with his eventual removal, arraignment in court and recovery of billions of naira from him and cronies.

Then comes Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein is a distinguished professional, Fellow of the Association of Chartered and Certified Accountants (ACCA) in the United Kingdom. She is also a member of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), attesting to her comprehensive expertise in the field.

Dr. Madein’s academic journey is marked by a dedication to excellence. She earned her Higher National Diploma (HND) in Accountancy from Ogun State Polytechnic (now Moshood Abiola Polytechnic) and later pursued her academic aspirations, obtaining a Postgraduate Diploma and a Master’s in Business Administration from Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University). Her pursuit of knowledge didn’t stop there; she achieved a doctoral degree in Management Finance from Walden University, Minnesota, USA, underscoring her commitment to academic and professional growth. With close to three decades of experience in the Federal Civil Service, Dr. Madein’s career began in the federal audit department. Her journey through the ranks was marked by a relentless commitment to financial transparency, and she held various key positions in federal financial agencies, including the Budget Office of the Federation and the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission. Her impressive track record reflects her dedication to developing and implementing strategies for enhanced financial management and accountability.

Dr. Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein stepped into the role of the Accountant General of the Federation, poised with the monumental task of reviving an office tarnished by past indiscretions. She brought with her a wealth of professional experience, spanning nearly three decades, alongside her rigorous academic background. Dr. Madein’s appointment marked a turning point in the trajectory of the office, as she embarked on an ambitious mission to restore fiscal integrity, transparency, and accountability.

One of her pioneering initiatives was the introduction of advanced financial technology systems. This overhaul modernized the financial management systems, replacing the outdated and cumbersome processes that had long characterized salary payments. Under her leadership, the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) was deepened and strengthened, revolutionizing the efficiency and transparency of payroll management. Though the implementation of IPPIS continues to face resistance in some segments of government, the cleaning and update of data therein has successfully addressed the need for a modern and efficient payroll system for Nigeria.

Furthermore, Dr. Madein recognized the pivotal importance of capacity building to sustain the reforms. She initiated comprehensive training programs for accountants and auditors in government agencies, equipping them with the knowledge and skills required to maintain high standards of fiscal integrity. The reforms she introduced also aimed at promoting transparency and anti-corruption measures. Whistleblower mechanisms were established to encourage the reporting of financial irregularities, reinforcing transparency and accountability in the public service. In addition to these initiatives, Dr. Madein worked to streamline and simplify the budgeting process, making it more transparent and accessible to the public. Expenditure details were made available online, allowing citizens to track government spending and hold officials accountable for fiscal decisions.
The role of the Accountant General of the Federation is of paramount importance in the financial health of a nation. Upholding integrity in both public and private accounting practices is not just a mandate but a moral imperative. Dr. Madein’s tenure as the Accountant General of the Federation exemplified the transformative potential of strong leadership and comprehensive reform. She succeeded in breathing new life into an office that had previously faced allegations of impropriety, and she instilled a renewed sense of fiscal responsibility.

Adefila Kamal is a development practitioner and National President of the Civil Society Network for Good Governance, a conglomerate of 87 Civil Society Organizations