Abuja: The Accountant-General of the Federation, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Madein, has emphasized the importance of tracking and valuing all Federal Government assets to ensure accountability. Speaking in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, Madein highlighted the necessity of a comprehensive approach to asset management within the government.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Madein discussed the significance of assets as the “real bedrock” of the nation, underscoring the need for proper valuation and accounting. She pointed out that the Federal Government has been investing in various assets over time, which collectively represent the country’s real value. However, she noted that Nigeria currently faces a challenge with a negative net asset of approximately N32 trillion, which is often recorded as a liability.
Madein explained that since the adoption of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) in 2017, it has become essential to include the valuation of national assets in the country’s annual
financial statements. This inclusion is crucial for accurately depicting the financial position of the nation. She emphasized the strategic role of legacy assets-those acquired or constructed before 2017-in this process. The inability to evaluate and value these assets has contributed to the Federal Government’s liabilities surpassing its assets.
To address this issue, stakeholders have agreed on the necessity of building a national assets register that will encompass all Federal Government assets. Madein listed a variety of assets, including buildings, offices, schools, hospitals, roads, equipment, and biological assets, as part of this initiative. She further explained that investors, donors, and international organizations partnering with the Federal Government would benefit from seeing an accurate representation of the country’s value as outlined in the annual financial statements.
As the treasury office of the Federal Government, the Office of the Accountant-General is responsible for collating financi
al information to prepare these statements. Madein concluded by reiterating that the inclusion of asset valuation is a key component required in the financial statements to ensure transparency and accountability.