Maryam Aminu
The Executive Chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), Victor Muruako, has called for stricter adherence to the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 across all levels of government as a means of deepening transparency, accountability, and sound fiscal management in Nigeria.
Muruako made the call in Abuja during the public presentation of the Transparency and Integrity Index 2025 Methodology, a forum jointly organized by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) and the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity at the Federal Ministry of Finance.
Addressing participants at the event, Muruako urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and state governments to adopt the Transparency and Integrity Index as more than a regulatory requirement, describing it as a vital tool for institutional reform and restoring public confidence.
“This event marks a crucial step in our collective journey toward deepening accountability, transparency, and ethical governance across Nigeria’s public institutions,” he said. “We at the Fiscal Responsibility Commission commend the renewed focus of the 2025 methodology on key governance pillars. Transparency is not an abstract ideal it is a practical necessity and the foundation upon which sound public finance management is built.”
He reaffirmed the Commission’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ongoing fiscal reforms, particularly those targeting the strengthening of local government systems.
He also praised the alignment of the Index with critical legal instruments, including the Freedom of Information Act, Public Procurement Act, and the Fiscal Responsibility Act, noting that such synergy would promote stronger collaboration among regulatory bodies and improve the broader accountability landscape.
“We encourage all MDAs and sub-nationals to use this exercise as an opportunity for self-reflection and transformation,” he added. “By actively engaging with the Index, we move closer to a governance culture that values transparency, performance, and citizen-centered service delivery.”
The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Dr. Dasuki Arabi, also addressed the gathering, stating that the Index is designed to identify MDAs demonstrating exemplary governance practices.
He emphasized that the new methodology encourages institutional openness, supports the ease of doing business, and enhances public service delivery.
Representing the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, was Dr. Moris Mbaeri, who stressed the importance of building robust financial systems across all levels of government to ensure sustainable reform outcomes.
Delivering the keynote presentation, Dr. Umar Yakubu, Executive Director of the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity, outlined the five core metrics for evaluating MDAs under the new Index: financial disclosures, procurement processes, human resource management, anti-corruption measures, and citizen engagement.
The event drew participants from the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria Customs Service, and various federal and state agencies.
Muruako also commended the BPSR for organizing a one-day capacity-building session for officials of the Gambian Ministry of Public Service, held at the FRC, describing it as a testament to the growing regional interest in Nigeria’s fiscal governance reforms.
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