The Kwara State Auditor-General, Alhaji Alayande Fatai Olajide, has reaffirmed the constitutional mandate and operational independence of the Office of the Auditor-General, describing it as a critical institution for safeguarding public resources and promoting transparency in governance across Nigeria.

In an exclusive interview with Radio Kwara staff reporter, Olabode Ahmed, Alhaji Olajide explained that the Office of the Auditor-General is a creation of law guided by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), alongside other financial regulations and public finance laws.

He noted that the responsibilities of state audit institutions are clearly outlined in Section 125 (1–6) of the Constitution, which empowers the Auditor-General to audit the public accounts of state governments and their agencies.

"Our mandate is constitutional. We audit the public accounts of government institutions, including Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), to ensure that public funds are judiciously utilised and properly accounted for," he said.

According to him, the role of audit institutions remains essential to strengthening democratic governance and ensuring accountability in the management of public finances.

Beyond routine financial audits, Olajide explained that audit offices also enforce strict compliance with financial laws and regulations guiding public expenditure.

He added that value-for-money audits are increasingly becoming a key component of public sector auditing, enabling authorities to assess the effectiveness, efficiency and economy of government programmes and projects.

"Our goal is to ensure that public spending delivers measurable value to citizens and supports national development priorities," he stated.

The Auditor-General stressed that constitutional backing guarantees the financial and operational autonomy of audit institutions, enabling them to carry out their oversight responsibilities without undue interference.

Speaking on ongoing pension and gratuity verification exercises in Kwara State, Olajide disclosed that the process aimed at ensuring that retired civil servants receive their rightful benefits has recorded significant progress.

"As of this morning, we are working on retirees from 2019 up to July 2025. We have achieved between 89 and 90 per cent turnout in the verification exercise, and virtually all eligible beneficiaries have been captured," he revealed.

He explained that in cases where retirees were unable to appear physically due to serious health challenges, the committee adopted a humane but rigorous verification process to maintain credibility and prevent fraud.

"In some instances, I personally visited beneficiaries in hospitals to confirm their condition. As Chairman of the Technical Committee and Auditor-General, I consider it my responsibility to verify such cases directly," he said.

Olajide also emphasised that the committee does not allow third parties to complete documentation on behalf of beneficiaries without proper confirmation.

"We insist on seeing and speaking directly with the beneficiary to ascertain their identity and maintain the integrity of the exercise," he added.

He attributed the progress recorded in the verification and payment process to the support of the Kwara State Government, noting that sustained commitment by government authorities is essential to addressing pension backlogs and strengthening public trust in governance.

He further stressed that improved transparency, accountability and efficient public financial management remain vital to Nigeria's overall governance and development agenda.