Gov. Ododo Urges Auditors to Deploy AI to Safeguard Public Funds, Drive Development
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has called on Auditors-General for Local Governments across Nigeria to adopt Artificial Intelligence and other digital tools to strengthen accountability, plug financial leakages, and ensure public resources deliver real benefits to citizens.
Governor Ododo made the call on Monday in Lokoja while declaring open the 30th Annual Conference of Auditors-General for Local Governments in Nigeria. The 5-day conference, holding from August 10 to 14, 2026, has the theme: _“Repositioning Auditors-General for Governance Excellence in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Towards Global Best Practices in Local Government Audit.”_
Drawing from his experience as a former Auditor-General for Local Governments in Kogi State, the Governor said auditing is more than checking figures. According to him, every naira in the public treasury carries a moral obligation to the people.
“Behind every budget line is a human need — a road to be built, a school to be equipped, a hospital to save lives, or an opportunity to lift a young person out of poverty,” Ododo stated.
“Compliance is important, but value for money must remain the cornerstone of public financial management.”
The Governor noted that the Supreme Court’s affirmation of Local Government financial autonomy has raised the stakes for transparency and accountability at the grassroots. He said greater autonomy must come with greater responsibility.
He therefore challenged auditors to leverage data analytics, machine learning, predictive modelling, and geospatial intelligence to detect anomalies, assess risks, and enable early intervention.
However, he cautioned that technology cannot replace integrity.
“AI can spot a pattern, but the auditor must interpret what it means. A system can flag a transaction, but professional judgment must determine if it is an error, fraud, or legitimate,” he said.
Governor Ododo also highlighted reforms in Kogi’s audit institutions. He said the state had commissioned the Kogi State Audit House this year, is equipping it with modern technologies, has converted contract audit staff to permanent appointments, and is preparing for a statewide recruitment to boost manpower.
He further disclosed that Kogi has signed a 4-year Memorandum of Understanding with the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation and state audit offices for capacity development.
He urged participants to leave the conference with a renewed commitment to professional courage, independence, innovation, and service to the public.
Earlier, the Auditor-General for Local Governments in Kogi State, Hon. Yakubu Siaka Adabenege, thanked Governor Ododo for approving and hosting the conference. He said the gesture reflects the administration’s commitment to transparency and good governance, and described the gathering as a platform to redefine public-sector auditing.
Adabenege stressed that auditing should go beyond error detection to strengthening systems, protecting public funds, and building citizens’ trust in government.
Also speaking, the Auditor-General for the Federation, Dr. Shaakaa Kanyitor Chira, described the conference theme as timely. He said the digitalisation of public finance demands new skills in data analytics, digital auditing, cybersecurity, and forensics to address risks in e-procurement, automated systems, and data integrity.
Dr. Chira warned that the use of AI does not remove an auditor’s responsibility.
“Professional judgment and ethical accountability remain non-negotiable,” he said.
He added that increased financial autonomy for Local Governments must translate to better roads, primary healthcare, basic education, water, sanitation, and agricultural support for citizens.
He called for sustained investment in human capital to equip auditors with the competencies needed for the digital age.
