By Ojotule Romanus
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has called for the deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and other related technology to strengthen public financial accountability.
Governor Ododo made the call in Lokoja at the ongoing 30th Annual Conference of Auditor-General for Local Government Areas.
The four day Conference which has its theme: “Repositioning Auditors-General for Governance Excellence in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Towards Global Best Practices in Local Government Audit ”, attracted participants from across all the Local Government Areas of the country.
Related News
The Governor said that there was need to entrench accountability,block financial leakages and ensure that public resources translate into the much needed development for citizens.
Alhaji Ododo who spoke from his experience as a former Auditor-General for Local Government in Kogi State, emphasised the need for auditors to move beyond routine compliance checks and leverage artificial intelligence, data analytics, machine learning and predictive modelling to block financial leakages and ensure that public spending delivers.
According to him, behind every budgetary provision is a human need; a road waiting to be constructed, a school requiring attention, a hospital expected to save lives or an opportunity capable of lifting a young person out of poverty
He further pointed out that “Compliance is fundamental, but value for money must remain at the heart of public financial management.”
Ododo noted that the financial autonomy of Local Governments, affirmed by the Supreme Court, has increased the need for transparency, prudence and accountability at the grassroots, adding that greater autonomy must come with greater responsibility.
He further challenged auditors to deploy data analytics, machine learning, predictive modelling, geospatial intelligence and other digital tools to detect unusual transactions, identify risks and enable early intervention.
However, the Governor cautioned that technology must never replace integrity and professional judgment.
“Artificial Intelligence can identify a pattern; the auditor must understand what that pattern means. A machine can flag a transaction; professional judgment must determine whether it is an error, misconduct or a legitimate transaction,” he said.
He further disclosed that his administration had continued to strengthen Kogi’s audit institutions following the commissioning of the Kogi State Audit House earlier in the year.
According to him, the State was equipping the facility with modern audit technologies, converting contract audit staff engaged during his tenure as Auditor-General for Local Governments to permanent appointments and preparing for a statewide recruitment exercise to strengthen manpower.
The Governor also revealed that Kogi had entered into a four-year Memorandum of Understanding with the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation and the State’s audit offices for capacity development.
He urged participants to leave the conference with more than resolutions as well as a renewed commitment to professional courage, independence, technological innovation and public service.
Earlier, the Auditor-General for Local Governments in Kogi State, Hon. Yakubu Adabenege, expressed appreciation to Governor Ododo for approving the financing and hosting of the conference in Kogi State.
Adabenege said the Governor’s support demonstrated his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability and good governance, describing the conference as an opportunity to chart new pathways for effective public-sector auditing.
He also appreciated the leadership of the Conference of Auditors-General and colleagues from across the country for participating in the event, while pledging to discharge his responsibilities with diligence and integrity.
According to him, auditing should not be limited to detecting errors but must also focus on strengthening systems, protecting public funds and building citizens’ confidence in government.
Also speaking, the Auditor-General for the Federation, Dr. Shaakaa Kanyitor Chira, commended the organisers for sustaining the annual conference and described the theme as timely and visionary.
Dr. Chira said the increasing digitalisation of public financial management required auditors to develop new skills and methodologies capable of addressing emerging risks associated with digital transactions, electronic procurement, cybersecurity, automated systems and data integrity.
He warned auditors against assuming that the use of AI absolves them of responsibility for wrongdoing, stressing that professional judgment and ethical accountability remain indispensable.
He stressed that stronger financial autonomy for Local Governments must translate into better roads, primary healthcare, basic education, water, sanitation, agricultural support and other services that directly affect citizens.
Dr. Chira therefore called for continuous investment in human capital, urging auditors to acquire competence in data analytics, digital auditing, cybersecurity, fortechnologies.3ues and emerging technologies.
