By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
The Auditor-General for Local Governments in Kogi State, Dr. Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, has sounded the alarm over the critical staff shortage threatening the functionality of his office.
Adabenege disclosed this during the ongoing 2025 Kogi Ministerial Budget Defence session at the State House of Assembly in Lokoja on Wednesday.
He revealed that the office currently operates with only 18 permanent and pensionable staff, a figure he described as grossly inadequate to handle the responsibilities of the office.
“The office is on the brink of extinction if urgent action is not taken to address the acute shortage of personnel,” Adabenege stated, emphasizing the pressing need for the recruitment of new staff. He explained that many staff members had retired, while others were on the verge of retirement.
To mitigate the staffing crisis, the former Auditor-General, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, who is now the Executive Governor of Kogi State, previously engaged 45 fresh graduates as temporary staff. Their salaries were paid from the one percent capital receipt allocation.
Adabenege urged the House of Assembly to approve the employment of these temporary staff as permanent employees of the state government.
“We appeal to this Honourable House to consider and approve the employment of these temporary staff to ensure the continuity and efficiency of our operations,” he said.
The Auditor-General further called on the Assembly to intervene in increasing the office’s monthly overhead allocation, stating that the current funding is insufficient to meet the financial demands of the office.
Additionally, Adabenege requested the House’s support in enforcing the independent status of the Auditor-General for Local Governments as stipulated in Section 13 of the 2021 Local Government Audit Law.
“The independence of this office, as provided for in the law, is critical to its effectiveness and credibility,” he added.
The Auditor-General’s plea underscores the urgent need for structural and financial reforms to strengthen the operations of the office and ensure its sustainability.