The Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation says it has adopted a new software, the Nigeria SAI Enhancement Audit Tool (N-SEAT), in the conduct of its audit processes.

The Auditor-General for the Federation, Shaakaa Chira, who disclosed this at the weekend during the investiture of the 6th Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) OAUGF chapter in Abuja, said the new software, which helps to keep track of the processes of audit, has already been used by his office to conduct a pilot audit successfully.

He said, “The OAuGF under my headship has fully embraced the methodologies approved by the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) in all aspects of our audit.

“Only recently, we have successfully conducted pilot audits deploying the Nigeria SAI Enhancement Audit Tool (N-SEAT), an audit software that helps to keep track of the processes of the audit. This comes with twin benefits of ensuring standardisation as it also facilitates the electronic storage of our working papers and audit evidence.”

While acknowledging the contributions of the former AuGFs in laying a solid foundation during their times towards the emergence of the modern OAuGF, he said the current leadership of the audit house has built on the successes of the foundation and is also preparing to bequeath a much better and results-oriented OAuGF to the next generation by the end of its tenure.

“Only recently, we launched the OAuGF Strategic Plan (2024-2028). This will further give clear direction to our operations and specific deliverables over the period covered by the Strategic Plan,” he said.

He called for closer collaboration between the OAUGF and ICAN, as such will provide an avenue for the two parties to explore ways of advancing the accounting profession in Nigeria for the benefit of not only the accountants but the Nigerian people.

He promised the 60th President of ICAN, Chief Davidson Alaribe, who was physically present at the occasion, that his doors are open and will always remain open to him at all times.

The Auditor-General congratulated the 60th President of ICAN and his Council Members on the just-concluded 64th Annual Accountants Conference, which he believes will help the current administration in its policy direction towards resetting the country to the path of sustained economic posterity as encapsulated in the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Bola Tinubu.

He also congratulated the new ICAN chairman, OAUGF chapter, and enjoined him to serve with humility.

In his goodwill message, the 60th President of ICAN, Chief Alaribe, said auditors play a key role in the quest for accountability and transparency in organisations.

He said auditors should have courage and think ahead because their job is a very important one, adding that ICAN establishes chapters and district societies to make the administration of ICAN very close to members and their employers.

He charged the new leadership of ICAN in the chapter to be good ambassadors of the institute.

Also speaking, the Auditor General of Kogi State Government, Mallam Yakubu Yusuf Okala, who represented the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Usman Ododo, congratulated the outgoing chairman of the chapter, Mr. Akpoti Abdulrahim, who is from Kogi State, and wished the new chairman a successful tenure.

The new chairman, in his acceptance speech, thanked the members for finding him worthy to occupy the office. He also thanked the Auditor-General for the Federation for creating a conducive work environment for the members.

He appealed to the ICAN Council to grant retired members a practising license upon retirement, having served as auditors for 20 years or more.