The federal government is now looking for a new Auditor General of the Federation. Adolphus Aghughu presently holds the post. Nevertheless, sources in the AuGF’s office have verified that Aghughu will retire the next month. On September 7 of next month, he will turn 60. Through the Federal Civil Service Commission, the government has asked qualified and interested directors in the federal civil service to apply for the position to find a suitable replacement.
The FCSC made this disclosure in a circular dated August 11, 2022, bearing the marking FCSC/PS/31/VOL11/239 and bearing Mary Ogbe’s signature as the commission’s Permanent Secretary. The commission requests that Directors of Audit in the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation submit pertinent briefs using the format provided by the Director of Human Resource Management to be considered for appointment to the position of Auditor-General for the Federation.
The commission is looking for a candidate with vision, strong managerial skills, professional competence, discipline, ethics, and transparency in public life for this important job. The nominee should be able to offer the government and the Nigerian people the proper guidance and assistance to promote accountability and openness in the government’s financial dealings. All accounting officers and anybody entrusted with the collection, receipt, custody, issuance, or payment of public funds, stores, or other government assets must have their accounts audited by the AuGF.
The ideal candidate must meet the following requirements to be considered for the position: hold an excellent honors degree in the relevant field; be a professionally qualified accountant; hold a membership certificate of an illustrious accounting body recognized by law both inside and outside of Nigeria; have at least 15 years of post-professional qualification experience, acquired in the public sector, at least 10 of which must be in auditing; and have held a position not less than that.
The Federal Government of Nigeria may from time to time decide the compensation and other terms of service that apply to the position of Auditor-General for the Federation. The chosen candidate will hold office until the mandatory retirement age of 60 years, following the terms of the Public Service Rules and Regulations.
According to the Federal Government, “Fringe benefits include a Pension Scheme following the Contributory Pension Scheme and Allowances as may be granted from time to time.”