In a decisive move to enforce fiscal discipline, the President Bola Tinubu-led administration has declared that the Federal Government will no longer bail out states struggling with unpaid liabilities. The Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Dr. Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein, issued this stern warning during her working visit to the Federal Pay Office in Kano.
According to a statement from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), released by Director of Press and Public Relations, Bawa Mokwa, Madein emphasized the urgent need for states to address revenue leakages and improve financial management to ensure sustainability.
> “State governments must take full responsibility for their financial obligations. The Federal Government will not be burdened with unpaid liabilities,” she stated.
With Nigeria’s economic landscape facing mounting fiscal pressures, the AGF’s warning signals a shift toward stricter financial accountability at all levels of governance. She urged state governments to intensify efforts in revenue generation rather than relying on federal interventions.
In her address, Madein also directed Federal Pay Officers (FPOs) to enforce compliance with public financial management reforms across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). She stressed the importance of modernizing financial operations and moving away from outdated manual processes.
> “The era of manual accounting is coming to an end. The adoption of modern financial technology is not just necessary—it is vital,” she stated.
To further enhance transparency and efficiency, the AGF announced that her office has begun implementing an enterprise management system aimed at fully digitizing financial transactions, including those handled by FPOs.
Additionally, Madein unveiled a shift from the traditional Annual Performance Evaluation Report (APER) to a modern performance management system, designed to provide a more precise assessment of staff and management efficiency.
> “This system will involve all staff and serve as a tool for measuring management performance,” she explained, emphasizing the need for FPOs to embrace digital proficiency.
Aminu Umar, Chairman of the Committee of FPOs for the North-West Zone, commended the AGF for her leadership, noting that her visit would leave a lasting impact on financial governance.
> “This initiative will set the pace for future Accountant-Generals, ensuring financial discipline and improved accountability,” Umar stated.
With this bold stance, the Tinubu administration is sending a clear message to state governments: financial recklessness will no longer be tolerated. The path forward demands fiscal responsibility, revenue optimization, and a commitment to digital transformation in public finance.
PIONEER NEWS 