The newly appointed Accountant General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, officially assumed office on Monday, emphasizing unity and reaffirming the Treasury’s independence.
Speaking to staff at the Treasury House in Abuja, Ogunjimi acknowledged the significant responsibilities ahead and urged collective effort to drive the institution’s success. He pledged his full commitment to strengthening the Treasury’s position.
“The task ahead is immense. If I fail, it means every one of you has failed as well. I am fully committed, even with my life, to serving this institution,” Ogunjimi declared. “My goal is to ensure that the Treasury stands as the leading institution in Nigeria.”
He urged staff to prioritize teamwork, emphasizing that internal divisions would only slow progress. “I sincerely ask you all let’s work together. A pass is a pass. Let’s put in the effort and move forward, he appealed.”
He firmly stated that his administration would not tolerate external interference, especially from Chief Executives of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. Reflecting on past experiences, he recounted instances where some executives attempted to influence personnel decisions, particularly regarding Directors of Finance and Administration.
“I have personally experienced a Chief Executive calling the Accountant-General to say, I don’t like this Director of Finance and Admin, I don’t like this director. Please remove him. I will not allow that to happen under my watch,” he asserted.
He assured Treasury officials that career-related matters would be handled fairly, emphasizing that directors assigned to MDAs would have the opportunity to present their cases if any issues arose.
“If anyone raises a concern, I will call the director involved and let them share their side of the story. Only then will we determine whether any action is necessary,” he explained.
