By Suleiman Abdulmumin
The 30th National Conference of Auditors-General for Local Government in Nigeria has officially concluded in Lokoja, Kogi State, following five days of technical deliberations, leadership elections and inspections of key state projects aimed at strengthening and modernising public financial management across the country.
The conference, hosted by the Auditor-General for Local Government in Kogi State, Hon. Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, FCNA, brought together chief audit executives, public finance experts and governance stakeholders from across the 36 states under the theme: “Repositioning Auditors-General for Governance Excellence in the Artificial Intelligence Era: Towards Global Best Practices in Local Government Audit.”
Declaring the conference open, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, urged public-sector auditors across the federation to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automated tools to curb fiscal leakages and enhance auditing standards in local government administration.
Governor Ododo, who previously served as Auditor-General for Local Government in Kogi State before his election as governor, described the conference theme as timely and crucial to Nigeria’s ongoing public-sector reforms.
He commended the National Forum of Auditors-General for Local Government for selecting Kogi State to host the historic 30th edition of the conference.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability, Governor Ododo highlighted key investments in public financial management infrastructure, including the newly constructed Kogi State Audit House and the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Pension and Treasury House.
Throughout the conference, delegates participated in intensive technical sessions focused on capacity building, professional development and the adoption of innovative auditing practices capable of repositioning local government auditing in line with global standards.
Experts and stakeholders also examined the growing relevance of artificial intelligence, technological innovation and professional competence in improving efficiency, transparency and good governance.
A major highlight of the conference was the emergence of the Kogi State Auditor-General for Local Government, Hon. Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, FCNA, as the new Chairman of the Conference of Auditors-General for Local Government in Nigeria.
His emergence was widely applauded by delegates and described as a recognition of his leadership, professional competence and commitment to advancing the auditing profession.
On the final day, Hon. Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, FCNA, led delegates on a comprehensive tour of key development projects across Kogi State. The projects visited included the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), the Kogi State International Airport project site, the Kogi State International Market and the historic Confluence Beach.
The tour provided delegates with first-hand insight into the state’s ongoing infrastructural development, investment drive and economic transformation efforts.
The conference concluded with a colourful dinner and cultural night, where delegates were treated to rich displays of Kogi State’s cultural heritage through performances by notable artistes, including Baba JFO, Adore, Ajemo, Nino Brown, Isaha and Ojenwujenwu.
The cultural evening brought the historic gathering to a memorable close.