Reps To Host 11th Annual Conference On Fiscal Oversight & Accountability

Nigeria Hosts 11th WAAPAC Conference: A Pivotal Moment for Fiscal Oversight in West Africa

In a landmark move to bolster fiscal accountability across West Africa, Nigeria’s House of Representatives is hosting the 11th Annual Conference and General Assembly of the West Africa Association of Public Accounts Committees (WAAPAC).

The event, themed “Strengthening Parliamentary Oversight of Public Debt,” marks Nigeria’s re-entry into the regional parliamentary accountability network after years of disengagement. The conference, to be held in Abuja from September 8 to 12, 2025, brings together over 300 delegates from across West Africa, Southern Africa, and East Africa, including lawmakers, auditors-general, fiscal policy experts, and development partners.

Hon. Bamidele Salam, Chairman of Nigeria’s House Committee on Public Accounts, emphasized the constitutional mandate of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to scrutinize the Auditor-General’s reports and ensure public funds are judiciously spent. He highlighted the committee’s recent achievements, including recovering over ₦200 billion from oil and gas firms and initiating reforms in COVID-19 expenditure tracking. Salam also praised the autonomy granted to the PAC under Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, which enabled the House to pass resolutions indicting 31 ministries and agencies for financial infractions, an unprecedented move in Nigeria’s democratic history.

The conference aims to foster peer learning and harmonize oversight practices across the region. Delegates from countries like Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, and The Gambia will share experiences and strategies for managing public debt, a pressing issue given the rising debt burdens in African economies. The event also features plenary sessions, expert panels, and a general assembly to review WAAPAC’s governance and elect new leadership.

However, featured on an episode of THIS MORNING, a TVC News current affairs programme, the discussion notably lacked deeper engagement with civil society perspectives, media accountability, and the role of technology in enhancing transparency.

While the conference includes civil society representatives, their voices were not prominent in the video dialogue. 

Additionally, the challenges of enforcing PAC recommendations, especially when executive agencies ignore summons or delay responses, were acknowledged but not fully addressed. The absence of prosecutorial powers for Nigeria’s PAC, unlike counterparts in countries like Tanzania and South Africa, remains a structural limitation.

The way forward involves several critical steps. First, Nigeria must pass the long-delayed Audit Bill to empower the Auditor-General and institutionalize timely reporting. Second, the PAC should advocate for the establishment of a Public Accounts Tribunal to ensure enforcement of its findings. Third, regional collaboration must extend beyond conferences to include joint audits, shared databases, and standardized reporting frameworks. Finally, at this juncture public engagement must be prioritized, citizens should be informed and involved in holding their governments accountable.

No doubt, this conference is more than a diplomatic gathering; it is a call to action. Nigeria’s leadership in WAAPAC must translate into sustained reforms, not just ceremonial hosting. As Hon. Salam aptly noted, the goal is to ensure that public borrowing serves the people, not burdens future generations

MISSING PERSPECTIVES - amplified

The video offers a robust overview of Nigeria’s role in hosting the 11th WAAPAC conference and the importance of parliamentary oversight of public debt. However, several critical perspectives are notably absent or underrepresented in the discussion:

Civil Society and Citizen Engagement

While civil society participation is briefly mentioned as part of the conference, its role in fiscal accountability is not explored in depth. Missing perspectives include:

·       How grassroots organizations and watchdog groups contribute to transparency.

·       The importance of public access to audit findings and budget data.

·       Citizen-driven accountability mechanisms, such as participatory budgeting or public hearings.

Media’s Role in Oversight

The media is referenced as a stakeholder, but its watchdog function is not critically examined. Absent are:

·       The challenges journalists face in accessing financial records.

·       The role of investigative reporting in exposing corruption and misuse of public funds.

·       Media literacy and public understanding of fiscal issues.

Technological Innovation and Data Transparency

There’s no discussion of how digital tools could revolutionize oversight. Missing elements include:

·       Use of open data platforms for real-time budget tracking.

·       Blockchain or AI applications in auditing and procurement.

·       E-governance initiatives that empower citizens and reduce bureaucratic opacity.

Youth and Gender Inclusion

The conversation lacks any mention of demographic inclusion:

·       How young people can be engaged in fiscal governance.

·       Gender disparities in access to decision-making roles within PACs.

·       The impact of public debt on marginalized communities.

Private Sector Accountability

The video focuses heavily on government agencies, but omits:

·       The role of private contractors and consultants in public spending.

·       Oversight of public-private partnerships (PPPs) and their debt implications.

·       Corporate lobbying and its influence on fiscal policy.

International Financial Institutions and Debt Conditionalities

Though the World Bank is mentioned in WAAPAC’s founding, there’s no critique of:

·       The terms and conditions attached to loans from multilateral lenders.

·       How debt servicing affects social spending and development priorities.

·       The need for renegotiation or debt forgiveness in unsustainable cases.

Implementation and Enforcement Gaps

The video acknowledges that PACs lack prosecutorial powers, but doesn’t fully explore:

·       The systemic inertia in implementing PAC recommendations.

·       The absence of legal consequences for non-compliant agencies.

·       Comparative models like public accounts tribunals in other countries.

By integrating these perspectives, the conversation could evolve from institutional self-congratulation to a more holistic and inclusive dialogue on fiscal accountability. This would not only strengthen the legitimacy of PACs but also ensure that oversight mechanisms resonate with the lived realities of citizens across West Africa.