President Bola Tinubu on Monday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to reducing inflation and improving economic stability through fiscal discipline, improved transparency, and citizen engagement.
Speaking through the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, at the opening of the National Conference on Fiscal Governance, Transparency and Accountability in Abuja, Tinubu outlined efforts to overhaul financial systems across government institutions.
The event, which was organised by the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee, brought together policymakers, auditors, and development partners for discussions on fiscal oversight and accountability.
“Public funds must be traceable, and officers accountable. Transparency and accountability are not optional, they are key to Nigeria’s future,” Tinubu said.
He explained that reforms underway include support for the Office of the Auditor-General, enhancement of procurement systems, and the use of digital tools to manage public finances. The president also identified food supply bottlenecks as one of the structural drivers of inflation and said targeted action was being taken to address them.
According to him, reducing wasteful spending and strengthening public oversight are central to the government’s fiscal reform agenda.
“Oversight is not a political tool. It is a patriotic duty,” he told legislators, urging lawmakers and stakeholders to approach accountability with integrity.
He also called on civil society groups, the media, and citizens to participate more actively in governance and in holding public institutions accountable.
British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, represented by William Robinson, welcomed Nigeria’s economic policy shifts, including the removal of fuel subsidies and tax reforms. He noted that the UK would continue to support Nigeria’s public finance management systems.
However, Montgomery emphasised that the effectiveness of these reforms will depend on “transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement.”
The three-day conference continues in Abuja with sessions expected to focus on procurement practices, audit oversight, and technology integration in fiscal governance.
