Kebbi Govt Strengthens Treasury Operations, Financial Accountability

By Aliyu Usman, Birnin Kebbi

The Kebbi State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and prudent management of public resources with the commencement of a four-day capacity-building programme for treasury personnel and staff of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

The training, titled “Strengthening Treasury Operations, Financial Controls and Office Record Documentation,” will hold from August 19 to 22, 2026, in Sokoto and is aimed at improving public financial management and institutional record-keeping across government establishments.

The initiative comes amid broader efforts to strengthen public institutions and improve the management of resources across Kebbi State. The state government has also been pursuing programmes in agriculture and rural development, including the distribution of free fertiliser and improved seeds to 120,000 farmers.

Kebbi Targets Stronger Treasury Operations

According to Abdullahi Zuru, who spoke on behalf of the state government in a statement made available on Tuesday, the initiative underscores the administration’s determination to strengthen governance systems through improved treasury operations, financial controls and records management.

The programme is designed to equip treasury personnel and MDA officials with practical skills that can improve the handling, documentation and monitoring of public finances.

A statement on the programme noted that efficient treasury operations, sound financial management and effective records administration are fundamental to promoting transparency, accountability and good governance in the public service.

The government said participants would be equipped with practical skills in financial documentation, internal controls, risk management, audit readiness and compliance procedures.

The training is expected to enable officials to maintain accurate financial and administrative records while strengthening accountability mechanisms within their respective institutions.

Training to Focus on Public Financial Management

The first phase of the programme will focus on public financial management and documentation standards, including transparency, accountability, value-for-money principles and the legal framework governing public finance.

The second phase will address office record documentation and control systems, with emphasis on the management of financial and administrative records throughout their lifecycle.

Highlighting the importance of proper documentation, the programme framework stated that maintaining complete, accurate and reliable records is essential for effective decision-making, regulatory compliance, accountability and audit processes.

Proper documentation can also provide government institutions with reliable information for planning, budgeting and monitoring the implementation of public programmes.

Officials to Receive Training on Internal Controls

Participants will also undergo training on internal controls and risk management, covering approval procedures, supervisory mechanisms, financial reporting and responses to audit queries.

The programme is expected to help officials identify weaknesses in existing control systems and develop measures to reduce financial and administrative risks within their respective institutions.

The emphasis on accountability also comes as Kebbi continues to attract attention over its public-sector development programmes. The state recently featured in a development initiative involving UNICEF and stakeholders working on a 2028–2032 development plan for Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara.

Government Seeks Greater Public Trust

The Kebbi State Government expressed confidence that the programme would strengthen public trust in state institutions and improve engagement with civil society organisations, professional bodies and development partners.

It stated that stronger documentation systems, improved financial reporting and enhanced audit readiness would provide a better foundation for constructive engagement with civil society organisations, professional bodies, development partners and other stakeholders interested in transparency, accountability and improved public service delivery.

Improved financial management is particularly important where government institutions are implementing programmes that require effective monitoring of public expenditure and measurable outcomes.

Practical Exercises and Case Studies

The training will feature practical exercises, case studies, simulations and group discussions designed to help participants identify documentation gaps, address control weaknesses and apply lessons learned in real-life workplace situations.

At the end of the programme, participants are expected to demonstrate improved capacity in records management, internal controls, documentation standards and audit preparedness.

The government believes the outcomes will contribute to stronger financial governance and more efficient service delivery across state institutions.

Kebbi Reaffirms Commitment to Accountability

Reiterating its broader governance agenda, the state government declared that its commitment to transparency and accountability requires continuous strengthening of institutional systems and professional capacity.

It added that responsible management of public resources is a collective institutional responsibility, stressing that effective controls, reliable records and accurate reporting remain essential pillars of good governance.

The programme is being held under the slogan: “Gaskiya da Rikon Amana – Ginshikin Kyakkyawan Shugabanci” (Transparency and Accountability – The Foundation of Good Governance).

The four-day programme is expected to provide treasury personnel and MDA staff with additional skills to improve financial management, record-keeping, internal controls and compliance across Kebbi State.

The initiative also forms part of the wider conversation around effective public-sector management in Nigeria, where transparency, financial discipline and institutional accountability remain important to the delivery of government programmes.

For further reading on financial and economic issues, see The Bureau Journal’s report on Nigeria’s historic $240 million loan to the World Bank, which provides context on the country’s changing approach to public finance and international financial management.