Since independence, Nigeria’s public accountability situation has been extremely troubling. The more attention it receives, the more concerning it becomes. Nigeria’s since the first republic in 1966 has had a significant public accountability issue which can be traced to the discovered crude oil at commercial quantity as evaluated using performance-responsibility parameters. Also, the Nigerian Government has taken several actions to address the problems of bad governance and corruption that have impeded economic development, but unfortunately these measures have not yielded the desired results. Previous administrations which came into power on the platform of anti-corruption, transparency and accountability did not do any better as public officials’ accountability steadily decrease in relation to managing public affairs.
The persisting challenge of accountability continues to hinder the nation’s progress towards achieving sustainable development and eradicating poverty. Underscoring the importance of accountability in fostering socio-economic development, the annual Nigeria Accountability Summit convenes accountability actors, academia, field expert, policy makers and other stakeholders at national and subnational level in Nigeria to identify policy implementation gaps in connection with different sectors of the Nigerian economy; deliberate and articulate actionable solutions that effectively address highlighted problems; and identify policymakers, and stakeholders responsible for implementing initiatives to strengthen accountability frameworks for effective public administration at both national and subnational levels in Nigeria.
Since its inception, the Nigeria Accountability Summit (NAS) has established itself as a premier platform for advancing accountability reforms in Nigeria.
The inaugural edition, NAS 2023, implemented by a coalition of 11 civil society organizations in Nigeria with the theme “Institutionalizing Accountability for Effective Public Administration in Nigeria” produced a Communique with feasible policy recommendations proposed to improve the quality of life for Nigerians. The 2023 Summit hosted notable speakers including H.E. Sen. Kashim Shetima (GCON), Vice President – Federal Republic of Nigeria (represented); H.E. Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, Kwara State Governor/Chairman – Nigeria’s Governors Forum (NGF) (represented); Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman – Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms; Engr. Yabagi Sani, National Chairman – Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC); Ms. Patience Oniha, Director-General – Debt Management Office; and Mr. Gabriel Okeowo, Country Director – BudgIT Foundation.
Building on that momentum, the second edition, NAS 2024, was held on October 23–24, 2024, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja. Hosted by 13 implementing partners, the summit carried the theme “Enhancing Accountability: Limiting Vulnerabilities.” Like the first edition, it culminated in a jointly issued Communiqué capturing key deliberations and actionable solutions. NAS 2024 brought together an impressive lineup of leaders and experts, including: Hon. Tajudeen Abbas – Speaker, House of Representatives (represented); Dr. Amina Salihu – Deputy Director, MacArthur Foundation; Abiodun Essiet – SSA to the President on Community Engagement (North Central); Freddy Ndjemba – Senior Manager, INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI); Saudatu Mahdi – Secretary General, Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA); Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi – Journalist & former Presidential Spokesman; Nabila Aguele – Chief Executive Nigeria, Malala Fund Nigeria; Prof. Bala Muhammad Audu – President, Nigeria Medical Association; Hon. Musa Bawa Bosso – Commissioner for Agriculture, Niger State; Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate – Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare (represented); Prof. Abba Idris Adam – Commissioner for Basic & Secondary Education, Yobe State; and Fatima Bello Gummi – National President, SWOFON.