Lagos pushes AI integration in public service - Punch Newspapers

The Lagos State Government has called for greater integration of artificial intelligence into public financial management to improve efficiency, strengthen internal controls and enhance the quality of financial information available for decision-making. The Accountant-General and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Treasury Office, Muyiwa Adetola, made the call at the 17th Annual Public Lecture of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Lagos State Public Service Chapter, held recently. The lecture, themed “Opportunities and Challenges of Adopting Artificial Intelligence for Accountants in Public Service”, provided a platform for accountants and other stakeholders to examine the benefits and risks associated with the growing use of AI in the public sector. Adetola said AI could automate repetitive tasks, analyse large volumes of financial data, identify potential irregularities, strengthen internal controls and improve the speed and accuracy of financial reporting. He said, “The integration of AI into public financial management offers significant opportunities to improve efficiency, strengthen controls and enhance the quality of financial information available for decision-making.” He called for sustained investment in digital infrastructure, effective data governance, cybersecurity and continuous professional development to equip public sector professionals for the technological transition.See more Punch stories on Google.Add Punch on Google Speaking at the event, the 62nd President of ICAN, Queensley Seghosime, charged public sector accountants to embrace AI while ensuring that technological advancement did not compromise professional ethics, accountability and sound professional judgment. Seghosime, who delivered the keynote address, said AI was already reshaping institutions through improved information analysis, risk detection, service delivery and decision-making. She identified financial forecasting, auditing and fraud detection, identification of unusual transactions, automation of routine processes and faster financial reporting as some of the opportunities available to accountants through the responsible application of AI. “Artificial intelligence presents enormous opportunities for the accounting profession, particularly in improving the speed, accuracy and quality of financial analysis and reporting. AI Apocalypse: The problem is policy AI manipulation could undermine 2027 elections, INEC warns 2027: AI misuse no longer a distant risk – INEC “However, its adoption must be guided by professional ethics, accountability and sound human judgment,” she said. The ICAN president, however, cautioned that the growing use of AI raised concerns over data quality, cybersecurity, privacy, algorithmic bias, transparency and ethical responsibility. She said that while AI could process information at remarkable speed, it could not replace the professional responsibility, conscience and judgment of an accountant. She urged practitioners to develop digital literacy, analytical capabilities and technological competence while remaining committed to professional ethics and the public interest. The Chairman, ICAN Lagos State Public Service Chapter, Suarau Oluwatoyin, described the lecture theme as timely, noting that the accounting profession had evolved beyond the preparation of financial statements to addressing its broader impact on society, the environment and the future of institutions. “The accounting profession has moved beyond the traditional preparation of financial statements. Today, our responsibility extends to understanding how our decisions affect society, the environment and the future of our institutions,” she said. Suarau also stressed the importance of Environmental, Social and Governance reporting and transparent sustainability frameworks, urging members of the profession to challenge conventional approaches and deploy their competence, accuracy and integrity in supporting the responsible adoption of AI. The Permanent Secretary, Office of Internal Audit, Monsurat Alaka, said the increasing demand for transparency, accountability and prudent management of public resources made continuous professional development important for accountants and auditors in the public service. “As the demands for transparency, accountability and prudent management of public resources continue to increase, accountants and auditors must constantly update their knowledge and skills to remain effective in a changing professional environment,” she said. Alaka described the annual lecture as a platform for knowledge-sharing and constructive engagement on emerging issues affecting public finance and governance. Wale Akinselure Olawale Franklin Akinselure is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with 12 years of experience covering education, politics, health, environment, judiciary, metro, and community beats. He specializes in producing insightful, wide-ranging reports that inform and engage readers. His reporting reflects practical newsroom experience, editorial insight, and a dedication to accurate, reliable journalism.

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