Auditors employed by the Lagos State Government have reaffirmed their commitment to transparency, accountability, and effective public sector management through stronger collaboration and innovative governance approaches.
Eko Hot News reports that this resolution was a major outcome of the 18th Internal Auditors’ Retreat, which concluded at Jubilee Chalet, Epe, Lagos State, with participants drawn from across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
Declaring the retreat open earlier, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Internal Audit, Dr Oyeyemi Ayoola, FCA, described internal auditors as critical drivers of transparency, risk management, and sustainable governance in Lagos State.
She charged auditors to expand their focus beyond routine expenditure reviews to encompass revenue assurance, advisory roles, and proactive risk mitigation, noting that Lagos’s status as Africa’s fifth-largest economy demands a strong, forward-looking internal audit function.
Dr Ayoola stressed that the quality of audit work directly affects the credibility of the State’s financial statements, assuring participants of institutional backing and disclosing that competency-based training would be prioritised to strengthen professionalism and value delivery.
In her address, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Internal Audit, Mrs Monsurat Titilope Alaka, emphasised unity of purpose, teamwork, and continuous professional development as foundations for sustainable governance.
She explained that the retreat theme, “One Team, One Vision: Transforming Internal Audit for Sustainable Governance,” reflects the evolving role of internal auditors from compliance-focused officers to strategic partners supporting risk management, internal controls, and informed decision-making.
Mrs Alaka highlighted the relevance of internal auditing to the successful implementation of the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda, appreciating Governor Sanwo-Olu for his consistent support of institutional strengthening and fiscal discipline.
Delivering goodwill messages, the Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Public Accounts, Hon. Kehinde Olaide Joseph, and the Accountant-General of Lagos State, Dr Abiodun Muritala, both underscored unity, credible financial reporting, and proactive auditing as vital to Lagos’ long-term development goals.
The three-day retreat featured presentations, interactive sessions, and discussions aimed at repositioning internal audit as a catalyst for sustainable governance and improved service delivery.
