The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee has issued a final directive for the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi, to appear in person before lawmakers on Monday, July 13, 2026. The committee, chaired by Hon. Bamidele Salam, expressed frustration over Ogunjimi's repeated failure to respond to invitations and provide required financial documents, calling his conduct inconsistent with the expectations of the office. Salam emphasized that the accountant-general holds a strategic role in Nigeria's financial management system and is constitutionally obligated to cooperate with legislative oversight.
Lawmakers noted that multiple letters sent over several months have yielded no adequate response from the office of the accountant-general. The committee warned that his lack of cooperation undermines accountability and sets a poor precedent for other public institutions. The panel reaffirmed its authority to enforce compliance, stating no public officer is above legislative scrutiny.
In a related action, the committee issued final invitations to six Ministries, Departments and Agencies. These include the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Federal Cooperative College Ibadan, Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, and Federal Ministry of Police Affairs. Their accounting officers and permanent secretaries are directed to appear on the same date, July 13, 2026. The committee stressed it will use all constitutional powers to compel attendance if necessary.
Salam reiterated the panel's mandate to ensure transparency and prudent use of public funds, urging full compliance from all named institutions. The committee described the current level of engagement as unsatisfactory and emphasized the importance of accountability to the Nigerian people through their representatives.
The Accountant-General of the Federation has been repeatedly unresponsive to parliamentary invitations, yet holds a position central to public financial oversight. His absence undermines the very accountability framework his office is meant to uphold. The same committee now summons six other agencies, revealing a pattern of non-compliance at the highest levels of financial administration. If the chief accounting officer ignores legislative calls, it weakens the National Assembly's ability to scrutinize how public money is used.
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