Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein, the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), has clarified the role of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) in payments for projects and programs implemented by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Contrary to misconceptions, the AGF emphasized that the OAGF does not directly make payments for projects on behalf of MDAs.
Instead, allocations are released to self-accounting MDAs in accordance with the budget, and these entities are responsible for the implementation of their projects and associated payments.
Addressing a specific request from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation for grants to vulnerable groups, the AGF disclosed that while her office received the request, it did not execute the payment. The Ministry was duly advised on the proper procedures to follow in alignment with established payment protocols.
The AGF stressed that payments in such scenarios should be processed by the concerned Ministries as self-accounting entities. Emphasizing transparency, she clarified that no bulk payment should be made to an individual’s account under the guise of a Project Accountant. Instead, payments should be routed through verified bank accounts to ensure accountability and traceability.
In reaffirming her commitment to upholding the principles of accountability and transparency in public finance management, Madein urged MDAs to diligently follow the requisite steps in all financial transactions. This clarification aims to dispel any misconceptions and reinforce the importance of responsible financial practices within government agencies.
