Digital innovation key to transparency, fiscal planning in NYSC – Nafiu

The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, has underscored the importance of adopting digital innovation in audit processes to strengthen accountability, transparency and strategic fiscal planning in the scheme

Nafiu said this on Monday in Abuja at a workshop for NYSC Internal Audit Desk Officers, themed “Strengthening Accountability and Transparency through Digital Innovation in Audit Processes: A Catalyst for Strategic Cash Planning.”

Represented by the Director of Human Resources Management, Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammed, the director-general said innovation, particularly in digital tools and systems, had become an imperative rather than a luxury in public service.

“It is my pleasure to address you at this important training workshop which seeks to explore the significant role that digital innovation plays in enhancing our audit processes, ensuring transparency, and ultimately contributing to effective and strategic fiscal planning,” he said.

Nafiu noted that while the NYSC had remained at the forefront of developing young leaders, fostering national unity and promoting excellence in public service, the realities of a technologically advanced world demanded a shift from traditional operational practices.

He stressed that accountability remained the cornerstone of effective governance, especially in an era of limited resources and competing demands.

“As public servants entrusted with managing public funds, it is incumbent upon us to ensure that every penny is accounted for and every transaction is transparent,” he said.

According to him, digital tools such as automated audit systems, blockchain technology and advanced data analytics had transformed public financial management by enabling real-time monitoring and verification of transactions.

“By moving beyond traditional paper-based methods, these innovations enable real-time monitoring and verification of transactions, speeding up audit processes while enhancing the accuracy and integrity of our financial reporting,” Nafiu added.

He explained that deploying digital innovations in auditing would help eliminate human error, inefficiencies and fraudulent practices, thereby enhancing transparency across NYSC operations.

The director-general further noted that transparency was essential for building public trust in government institutions, adding that digital innovations now made it possible to embed transparency directly into audit processes.

“By implementing real-time financial dashboards accessible to stakeholders, we ensure that audit findings are not only accurate but also visible to the public and other key entities,” he said.

Nafiu said effective and transparent audits went beyond regulatory compliance, describing them as the foundation of sound financial management and strategic fiscal planning.

“By embracing digital innovations, we can move from reactive fiscal management to proactive, data-driven decision-making.

“Real-time access to financial data enables more accurate forecasting, smarter resource allocation and better financial planning,” he said.

He added that integrating advanced data analytics into audit processes would enable the NYSC to track cash flow trends, forecast future financial needs and identify potential savings.

“This positions audit personnel in a vantage position to provide the scheme with invaluable support for budgeting and financial planning,” Nafiu said.

He added that strengthened accountability would ensure that every naira allocated to the NYSC was used wisely and efficiently for the benefit of corps members and staff.

Earlier, the NYSC Director of Audit, Mr Levi Agim, said the workshop was designed to strengthen accountability and transparency through digital innovation in audit processes as a catalyst for strategic cash planning.

Agim noted that traditional audit methods were increasingly inadequate in the face of rising demands for transparency and efficiency.

He added that digital tools such as automated systems and cloud-based platforms offered transformative opportunities for internal audit functions.

He said effective financial management was essential for the NYSC to meet its obligations, including the payment of corps members’ allowances and the implementation of youth development programmes, and commended the director-general for approving resources for the training.

Agim also expressed appreciation to the resource persons and participants, reaffirming the commitment of internal audit personnel to supporting NYSC management in advancing the scheme’s mandate.