Ten Federal Institutions Indicted for Financial Breaches

Secrets Reporters

Ten federal institutions across Nigeria have been cited for financial and compliance breaches in a review of the 2024 financial year, according to findings published by SecretsReporters in its compliance roundup. The institutions span specialist hospitals, professional regulatory councils, and agricultural research bodies.

National Eye Centre, Kaduna

The National Eye Centre, Kaduna, recorded ₦50,362,720.86 in findings. This comprised ₦35,212,720.86 in misapplied funds and ₦15,150,000.00 in payments without relevant supporting documents. The Centre has seen recent leadership changes. Dr. Amina Hassan-Wali was appointed substantive Chief Medical Director after Dr. Aminatu AbdulRahman served in an acting capacity from November 2023, following the conclusion of Dr. Mahmoud Alhassan’s tenure.

National Orthopaedic Hospital, Jos

The National Orthopaedic Hospital, Jos, recorded ₦71,099,962.67 in findings. Of this, ₦52,957,554.45 was misapplied, and ₦18,142,408.22 was irregularly diverted from salary allocations. The hospital treats orthopaedic patients from across the Plateau region and beyond.

Medical Laboratory Council of Nigeria, Abuja

The Medical Laboratory Council of Nigeria, Abuja, recorded ₦65,698,649.00 in findings. Contracts worth ₦30,856,149.00 were awarded without the approval of the Registrar. ₦23,000,000.00 was spent engaging external solicitors without the mandatory approval of the Attorney-General of the Federation. Paid vouchers worth ₦11,842,500.00 were never presented for examination. A separate finding noted payments made without voucher validation.

Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Abuja

COREN recorded two findings without isolated financial figures: procurement of ICT facilities without mandatory clearance from the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and non-submission of audited financial statements.

Surveyors Council of Nigeria (SURCON), Abuja

SURCON recorded two findings without isolated financial figures: ICT procurement without NITDA clearance, and cash advances granted above the approved limit.

Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan

The Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan, recorded one finding: payment of prior years’ liabilities from the current year’s allocation.

Division of Agricultural College, Zaria

The Division of Agricultural College, Zaria, recorded one finding: non-submission of audited financial statements for the year under review.

Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, Abuja

The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, Abuja, recorded ₦1,149,500.00 in findings, relating to store items never taken on ledger charge.

Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research, Edo State

The Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research, Edo State, recorded findings of non-submission of audited financial statements, irregular honorarium and sitting allowance payments, and payments made on stale paid vouchers.

Federal University, Gashua, Yobe State

The Federal University, Gashua, Yobe State, recorded ₦33,871,592.89 in findings, relating to extra-budgetary expenditure.

Patterns Across the Roundup

Across the ten institutions, recurring categories include missing audited financial statements, ICT procurement without NITDA clearance, payments without supporting documentation, and budgets exceeded without authorisation.

The laws cited across the roundup include the Financial Regulations 2009, which govern ledger accounting, voucher validation, cash advance limits, and fiscal-year allocation; the NITDA Act, which requires clearance for government ICT procurement; an Establishment Circular requiring Attorney-General approval before engaging external solicitors; and the statutory obligation to submit audited financial statements.