Jigawa pension board trains auditors to boost effectiveness

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The Jigawa State and Local Governments Contributory Pension Scheme Board has launched a two-day in-house workshop for internal auditors aimed at equipping audit staff with the skills needed to close the widening expectation gap.

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This is because the Scheme seeks to improve audit effectiveness, address delays in report submissions, and strengthen collaboration with stakeholders across the state.

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PUNCH Online gathered that the Board organised the training, titled “Narrowing the Expectation Gap Arising from Internal Audit Role – A Practical Approach,” to address key challenges facing audit staff within the state and local government system.

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Facilitating the opening session held on Thursday at the Scheme’s Conference Room in Dutse, the state capital, the Executive Secretary of the Scheme, Dr Bilyaminu Shittu, said the training was designed to address critical challenges within the audit unit.

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“The workshop brought together internal auditors for practical sessions on duty schedules, audit manuals, and stakeholder relations,” he stated.

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Shittu explained that, “The training seeks to bridge these gaps and enhance the effectiveness of internal audit functions across the Scheme.”

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He identified the challenges as the absence of a comprehensive schedule of duties, late submission of audit reports, and a lack of documented audit guidelines.

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The Executive Secretary also noted friction-prone working relationships between internal auditors and other stakeholders as another major concern.

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Moreover, the ES emphasised that the internal audit function is crucial to the continuity, safety, stability, and overall achievement of the Scheme’s objectives.

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Shittu added, “This workshop will help internal auditors better understand their expected roles and functions, thereby minimizing misconceptions that often lead to friction with stakeholders.”

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One of the resource persons, the Auditor-General for Local Government Audit, Shehu Kaila, described the initiative as timely while delivering his presentation.

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Kaila stated, “This is a valuable step that will improve the skills and knowledge of the staff and enhance the quality of service within the Scheme.”

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He further explained that equipping auditors with practical tools would strengthen compliance in accounting, internal control, investment, and IT systems.

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Highlighting further benefits of the training, Kaila said participants would engage in discussions focused on developing a comprehensive schedule of duties and creating an Audit Manual for the Scheme.

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“They also discussed ways of fostering a collaborative working environment between internal auditors and stakeholders,” he pointed out.

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The Board said the initiative reflects its commitment to improving service delivery and ensuring sound audit practices that support the mission of the Contributory Pension Scheme.

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Speaking shortly after the opening session, one of the participants, Bashir Abubakar, told PUNCH Online, “The workshop has opened my eyes to practical ways of reducing friction with departments we audit.”

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Another participant, Ibrahim Suleiman, said, “We now have clearer direction on timely report submission and how to use audit guidelines effectively in our daily work.”

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