By Nkechi Eze
The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), in partnership with the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, and ThinkBig Consulting Limited, has concluded a week-long high-level training designed to strengthen fiscal discipline, accountability, and transparency among Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of government.
The programme, themed “Strategies for Increased Fiscal Efficiency, Enhanced Government Revenue and Plugging Leakages in the Nigerian Financial System”, brought together key government officials and financial experts in a robust exchange of ideas aimed at improving public finance management and advancing reforms in line with Nigeria’s fiscal responsibility framework.
In a statement signed by Head of Strategic Communication, FRC, Bede Ogueri Anyanwu, the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Victor Muruako, Esq., represented by his Special Adviser, Dr. Chris Uwadoka, praised the quality of participation and described the training as “a high-impact and insightful learning experience.” He commended the Chief Executives of participating MDAs, NIPSS, and the consulting team for what he called “a significant milestone in equipping public officers with practical tools to uphold fiscal responsibility.”
Dr. Uwadoka stressed that the interactive nature of the sessions underscored the seriousness with which MDAs were approaching fiscal reforms. “The interaction during the sessions was robust, questions were insightful, and the discussions frank. It is a sign that the MDAs are serious about improving public finance management,” he said. He further reminded MDAs of the need to begin early preparations for their annual audited financial statements and to utilize the remittance templates provided by the Commission for Operating Surplus as part of efforts to institutionalize compliance and prudence.
Adding academic weight to the programme, Dr. Solomon Titus Gushibet, Senior Fellow and Operating Officer at the Centre for Financial Economics, NIPSS, who coordinated the course, hailed the level of discipline and engagement displayed by participants. He noted that the training, which commenced on Monday, featured nine thematic modules presented by seasoned experts and was designed to instill best practices in transparency, accountability, and fiscal reforms. “We are pleased that participants drawn from various MDAs showed exemplary conduct, engagement, and discipline throughout the training. This reflects a commitment to institutional reforms,” Dr. Gushibet said, confirming that all participants had fulfilled the requirements for certification.
Speaking on behalf of the Director-General of NIPSS, Professor Ayo Omotayo, Professor Jane Omotayo Aane lauded the impact of the training while highlighting the module on public procurement as a priority area requiring urgent reforms. She expressed concern over reports of MDAs defaulting on contractual obligations, a trend that has triggered the creation of contractor unions. Describing such failures as “an abuse of office,” she urged the Fiscal Responsibility Commission to take a more active stance in curbing procurement irregularities.
“On behalf of the Director-General, I commend all participants and urge them to put into practice the knowledge gained here,” Prof. Aane said. She further assured that NIPSS remained committed to partnering with agencies willing to deepen reforms in accountability and transparency, while also advising participants to exercise caution by avoiding late-night travel due to prevailing security concerns.
The training ended with a call on participants to return to their respective MDAs as catalysts for institutional change, applying the strategies and reforms championed during the sessions. The programme is expected to support the federal government’s broader objectives of prudent financial management and fiscal responsibility as Nigeria continues to navigate complex economic challenges.
