…As Roundtable Reviews Achievements, Challenges and Prospects of Nigeria’s Financial Integrity Framework
Nigeria’s drive toward stronger financial accountability took centre stage as the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) and civil society leaders converged for the 2nd Edition of the Roundtable Engagement on Strengthening Nigeria’s Financial Integrity Framework, a high-level forum focused on the achievements, challenges, and future prospects of the FRC.
The engagement which was organised by the New Era for Sustainable Leadership and Accountability Initiative (NESLAI) on Tuesday in Abuja, brought together regulators, reform advocates, accountability champions, and civil society organisations in what participants described as a timely and strategic convergence aimed at rebuilding trust in Nigeria’s financial system.
At the heart of discussions was the FRC’s evolving regulatory role, particularly the enforcement of FRC Rule 14 on Non-Compliance with Laws and Regulations, which takes effect from January 1, 2025. The rule mandates stricter responsibilities for external auditors, requiring them to actively identify, assess, and respond to both direct and indirect non-compliance with laws and regulations that may affect financial statements. The Council noted that the new framework closes long-standing gaps that previously limited auditors’ obligations and, in doing so, strengthens investor protection and public confidence.
Welcoming participants, Comrade Edwin Olorunfemi, Executive Director of NESLAI, described the roundtable not as a routine policy dialogue, but as a defining moment in Nigeria’s accountability journey.
“This engagement is not merely another meeting; it is a strategic convergence of regulators, reform advocates, and accountability champions, united by a shared resolve to advance transparency, responsibility, and trust in Nigeria’s financial ecosystem,” he said.
Olorunfemi commended the FRC for its consistency in promoting ethical standards and sound financial reporting across both public and private sectors, stressing that Nigeria’s aspiration for sustainable development and global competitiveness rests on the integrity of its financial systems.
The roundtable critically examined persistent challenges undermining financial integrity, including inconsistent compliance across sectors, limited public understanding of financial reporting standards, and the rising complexity of economic crimes and financial misconduct. Participants agreed that these realities reinforce the need for a stronger, more structured partnership between regulators and civil society.
Underscoring the broader implications of financial integrity, Olorunfemi warned that failures in financial systems extend far beyond balance sheets.
“When financial systems fail, lives are affected, trust erodes, institutions collapse, and hope is weakened. But when financial integrity is protected, nations rise,” he stated.
The FRC, through its regulatory instruments and enforcement mechanisms, reiterated that financial statements signed with invalid FRC registration numbers or by entities with unresolved compliance issues would no longer be acceptable. The Council further emphasized that auditors who fail to confirm compliance before signing audit opinions risk sanctions under its inspection and monitoring guidelines.
Observers at the engagement described the collaboration between the FRC and civil society as the defining strength of the roundtable, symbolising two riders moving in the same direction: NESLAI driving civic vigilance and public accountability, and the FRC providing regulatory authority and enforcement, both aligned toward safeguarding Nigeria’s financial future.
In a closing remark, the Program Coordinator Comrade Richard Otitoleke, urged participants to translate dialogue into concrete action. He reaffirmed on behalf of NESLAI and allied civil society organisations, an unwavering commitment to supporting the FRC in fulfilling its mandate and protecting Nigeria’s financial future.
As the roundtable concluded, stakeholders agreed that Nigeria’s journey toward a resilient and transparent economy depends on sustained cooperation between regulators and civil society. two great riders, riding together, determined to place integrity at the centre of national development.