EFFECTIVE AUDITORS, SYSTEMATIC CORRUPTION AND THE EGAD REPORT: THE WAY FORWARD

Abstract

This study investigated the effectiveness of the auditors in combating corruption in the south-south and south-east public sector of Nigeria. The study was carried out in Edo, Anambra, Delta, and Enugu, States respectively (covering South-South and South-East Nigeria). Primary data were obtained through structured questionnaire. Survey design was employed in the study. A total of one hundred and two auditors were sampled. Convenient Sampling Technique was employed in selecting the auditors in the four states’ public organisations. Descriptive statistical techniques such as, charts, mean, standard deviation, tables, and percentages response analysis were used in analyzing the data. Cronbach alpha coefficient was used to test for reliability of the research instrument and the result was (.71). The Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMCC) was employed in testing the hypothesis. SPSS 23.0 was used. The results revealed that auditors are effective in fighting corruption in the public sector of Nigeria to the extent of their usefulness and practice. The study hereby concluded that auditors have been effective in combating corruption in the public sector despite the absence of auditor’s independence, threats, and absence of sincere political will to combat corruption in the Nigerian public sector. It was recommended that strengthening auditors’ independence, recruitment of more audit staff, auditors’ yearly rotation, submission of audit report to the anti-corrupt agencies, and increasing accountability through annual or quarterly preparation of EGAD report.