Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has invited the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) to carry out a comprehensive audit of the state’s financial records.
The governor made the request on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, during the opening of the 20th Northern Zonal Accountants’ Conference held in Minna.
The conference, which runs through Thursday, September 11, 2025, is themed “Accountability and National Re-orientation: Unlocking Nigeria’s Socio-Economic Potentials.”
Bago said the audit would help entrench transparency, correct discrepancies, and identify weaknesses in the state’s financial management system.
He noted that his administration’s priority is to set a benchmark for fiscal discipline and accountability, which he described as vital tools for good governance and economic development.
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He told participants at the conference that the theme was timely, given the need to rebuild public trust and foster national values that support growth.
According to him, actionable recommendations from the conference would further strengthen governance structures and restore confidence in leadership.
The President of ICAN, Malam Haruna Nma Yahaya, welcomed the governor’s invitation and assured that the institute would conduct the audit independently, stressing that credibility and objectivity would guide the exercise.
Government officials at the event said the decision underscores Niger State’s readiness to align with national calls for accountability and could serve as a model for other states seeking to improve financial management practices.