Dr Oluwatoyin Madein, the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), has warned treasury managers against corruption, fraud and financial mismanagement.
Madein gave the warning at a training programme organised by the Chartered Institute of Treasury Management (CITM) in Abuja.
Represented by Alhaji Muhammed Aliyu, Director, Special Duty (OAGF), the AGF said there was a need to safeguard public funds and protect the interests of the government and the public.
“We must remain watchful against the threats of corruption, fraud and financial mismanagement by implementing a strong internal control system and promoting a culture of compliance.
“Training and professional development are essential in equipping the practitioners with the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct the activities of Treasury Management ethically.
“Let us seize this opportunity to expand our understanding of ethical principles and best practices, so as to strengthen our ability to serve the public well.”
She urged participants to uphold the highest ethical standards in their work and actions as treasury professionals.
“Together we shall strive to build a future where transparency, integrity and accountability will be the focus in the management of public finances.
“As professionals, we must resist the temptation of personal interest or undue influence in our decision-making processes.
“We must always prioritise the public interest above all other interests, even in the face of unpleasant situations or pressure from the public.”
She said ethical conduct in treasury management entailed an extremely large number of principles which include transparency, honesty, accountability and fairness.
“We must adhere to these principles seriously, not only to maintain public trust but also to imbibe a culture of integrity and transparency within our organisations.
“As custodians of public funds, we bear a tremendous responsibility to uphold the highest standards of ethics and integrity in our profession,” she said.
For his part, the Registrar, CITM, Mr Olumide Adedoyin, said that to curtail financial crime, there must be deterrents, adding that enlightenment is also key.
“Once you create awareness, you must empower professional associations, particularly associations like CITM, ANAN, and ICAN, because where we are going is an evolving journey.
“And along the line, there are gaps that need to be filled, and that is why treasury management becomes important; if you don’t involve treasury management in your financial flow, you are going to lose it,” he said
The registrar said that treasury management would help to safeguard the financial system and fortify financial inflow.