LASG Deepens Capacity Building Of Auditors - Special Adviser

The Lagos State Government has launched a renewed drive to enhance accountability and professionalism within the Internal Audit function of the Public Service. Dr. Oyeyemi Ayoola, Special Adviser on Internal Audit, announced this during the First-Quarter Technical Session held at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium. The initiative aims to equip auditors with the skills necessary to navigate a rapidly evolving global environment and embrace technology-driven approaches to financial oversight.

Permanent Secretary Mrs. Monsurat Titilope Alaka welcomed the participants, emphasizing that Internal Auditors must act as the primary custodians of transparency within Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). She noted that the quarterly meetings have been upgraded to include technical sessions to ensure that audit practices align with the latest laws and financial frameworks. The focus is to move away from outdated stereotypes and transform the audit process into a proactive tool for governance.

A major highlight of the session was a presentation on the "Year 2026 Budget of Shared Prosperity" and the newly introduced Tax Reform Law. Auditors were informed that understanding these policy instruments is vital for ensuring budget credibility and fiscal discipline. The technical session provided a platform for auditors to discuss the implications of these new laws on state spending and revenue collection, ensuring they can provide early warnings against financial deviations.

​Mr. Fatai-Idowu Onafowote, Director-General of the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency (PPA), facilitated a session on the auditor’s role in the procurement cycle. He stressed that auditors must be actively involved in risk assessment and contract monitoring to prevent financial leakages. By ensuring compliance with due process, internal auditors help the state achieve "value for money" in all government transactions, which is a key pillar of public trust.

The technical sessions will now be a regular quarterly fixture, supplemented by specialized workshops on digital auditing tools. Dr. Ayoola and Mrs. Alaka both emphasized that the modern auditor must be versatile, possessing both financial expertise and technological proficiency. This sustained investment in human capacity development is designed to ensure that Lagos State remains a leader in transparent and accountable public sector management.