By Princess Funsho Sumanu
The Kogi State Fiscal Responsibility Commission has intensified its sensitization campaign across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as part of efforts to strengthen fiscal discipline, transparency and accountability in public financial management, while also gathering firsthand information for the preparation of its 2026 Annual Report.
The Commission’s team visited the Ministry of Solid Minerals and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, where officials engaged management and staff on the provisions of the revised Fiscal Responsibility Law and the need for strict compliance with established fiscal procedures.
Speaking during the engagements, the Director of Policy and Strategy of the Commission, Mallam Abubakar Musa, explained that the exercise was aimed at obtaining accurate data that would support the Commission’s statutory reporting obligations, while creating awareness of the Commission’s mandate and the provisions of the newly reviewed Fiscal Responsibility Law.
According to him, although the Commission was established in 2012, its activities have gained renewed momentum under the current management, which successfully spearheaded the review of the law to strengthen the Commission’s oversight responsibilities.
He noted that the amended law, which has been assented to by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and gazetted, will soon be distributed to MDAs to guide public officers in the discharge of their responsibilities.
He stressed that the Commission’s objective is not to intimidate public institutions but to ensure that government officials are well informed of the law, thereby preventing avoidable violations arising from ignorance.
“The essence of this exercise is to promote fiscal transparency, accountability and prudent management of public resources. We want public officers to understand the law so they can carry out their duties in line with established regulations,” he said.
At the Ministry of Solid Minerals, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Abdulkareem Ahamed, represented by Mr. Romanus Isah Opkanachi, described the ministry’s primary responsibility as an oversight institution that monitors mining activities within the state.
He explained that while licensing and registration of mining companies remain the exclusive responsibility of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, the state ministry supervises mining operations to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and prevent operators from acting outside approved guidelines.
During the visit to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Team Leader of the Commission, Mallam Abubakar Tanimu Musa, reiterated that the interface was designed to foster collaboration with MDAs while obtaining credible records for the Commission’s annual report.
Representing the Chairman of the Commission, Mallam Jimoh Mohammed, he emphasized that the exercise should not be viewed as an investigative mission but as a collaborative effort to strengthen institutional compliance and improve fiscal governance across the state.
He observed that Kogi State has earned national recognition for budget transparency and expressed confidence that the ongoing sensitization campaign would position the state among the leading performers in fiscal responsibility and accountability.
Mallam Musa added that the revised law, signed into law and gazetted in March this year, provides a stronger legal framework for promoting responsible financial management across government institutions.
Providing an overview of the Ministry’s statutory responsibilities, officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security explained that the ministry plays a strategic role in ensuring food security, supplying raw materials for agro-based industries, formulating agricultural policies, preparing budgets and periodic performance reports, while coordinating several development programmes, including the Agricultural Development Project (ADP), FADAMA, ACReSAL, VCDP and other World Bank-assisted interventions.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Barr. Ayo Emmanuel, said the sensitization became necessary following the successful review of the Fiscal Responsibility Law.
He explained that the amended legislation was designed to secure prudent management of public funds through strict adherence to appropriation, budgeting and procurement processes.
According to him, no expenditure should be incurred outside approved appropriations, while procurement procedures must be strictly followed to guarantee value for money in public spending.
Barr. Emmanuel noted that the Commission would continue engaging ministries, departments, agencies and local government councils to ensure widespread awareness and compliance with the provisions of the law.
Responding on behalf of the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Timothy Ojoma, the Director of Administration, Mrs. Falusi Abimbola Toyin, commended the Commission for the enlightenment programme, describing the engagement as timely and beneficial.
She noted that the interaction had provided valuable insights for both institutions and appealed to the Commission to support the ministry in addressing some of its operational challenges.
She expressed optimism that with sustained government support and continued collaboration, the ministry would record even greater achievements in the coming year.
The sensitization exercise forms part of the Commission’s ongoing statewide campaign to strengthen fiscal responsibility, institutional compliance and accountability across public institutions in line with the vision of the Kogi State Government to promote transparency and prudent management of public resources.
