ABSTRACT

This research project is centered on the "Evaluation of government internal auditing system with respect to accountability and transparency in government parastatals." A review of related literature was extensively made in Chapter Two of the work to cover the relevant aspects of government internal auditing system with respect to the accountability and transparency of government ministries and departments. In this regard, the empirical studies carried out. by others were collated to comprehensively address government internal auditing system. The population sample size of the study is 286 which is fully representative of the research population. The instruments used in data collection for the purpose of this study comprised the following: the questionnaire, personal interview, observations, textbooks, seminar papers, articles and the internet. Two of the findings made from the study are stated thus: (1) There is ineffective and inefficient government internal auditing system in Nigeria which is partly occasioned by lack of accountability and transparency of public sector officials. (2) The internal control system in government parastatals is extremely poor; this syndrome has caused little or no examination of the activities of government ministries and departments. In addition, two of the recommendations advanced for the purpose of improving government internal auditing system in Nigeria are noted as follows: (1) Seasoned and experienced certified public accountants should be engaged in the service of public sector in order to effect thorough evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of the internal auditing system of government ministries and departments from time to time. (2) External certified public accountants should also be contracted occasionally, without the knowledge of government internal auditors, to carry out unannounced validation of the internal auditing system of government parastatals; this step will help to reposition the audit of the financial operations of the government