By Paul Effiong, Abuja
The House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts, PAC, has announced plans to host a landmark international conference in Abuja as the West Africa Association of Public Accounts Committees, WAAPAC, hold its 11th Annual Submit and General Assembly.
Adressing Journalists at the National Assembly Complex yesterday, the Chairman of PAC, Hon Salam Bamidele disclosed that the high-profile submit will take place from September 8 to 12, 2025 with strong expectation of over 300 participants, including lawmakers, auditors, and financial governance experts.
The Confrence is With the theme “Strengthening Parliamentary Oversight of Public Debt: The Role of Finance and Public Accounts Committees,”
Hon Bamidele further explained that the upcoming event is strategically positioned to tackle fiscal responsibility, debt sustainability as well as transparency in West Africa region.
According to him: “the conference will provide a critical platform for strengthening the capacity of PACs and Finance Committees in order to probe and hold governments accountable for borrowing and high profile debt management.
The Committee further described the upcoming conference as very timely and significant,” expressing the optimism that it would help lawmakers and key stakeholders across the African region sharpen their oversight tools for the purpose of fostering stronger collaboration.
He also informed that the ecpected submit will not only enhance knowledge but will also equip PACs with basic fundamental practical strategies to confront rising debt risks across Nigeria and beyond.
The five-day assembly will feature intensive technical sessions, panel discussions, and workshops aimed at developing sustainable frameworks for debt oversight.
The Confrence, the lawmaker maintained will assist all Participants to reexamine debt trends such as borrowing patterns, and potential risks threatening economic stability not just in Nigeria but also across Africa region, with the ultimate goal of producing workable reforms for all member states in attendance
According to the Committee, delegates will not be restricted to West Africa alone but all other regions that made up Africa.
He disclosed that Representatives from Swatini, Kenya, South Africa as well as sister parliamentary networks across Africa have confirmed their readiness to participation in the upcoming conference.
The federal lawmaker also informed that the 2025 s edition will be the most inclusive and globally representative submit in the history of WAAPAC.
While urging for early preparation, the Lawmaker said the ceremony promises to be a high-level affair in Nigeria.
Acvordingly, the organizer said the Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon Tajudeen Abbas will officially declare the conference open, while the Minister of Finance Hon. Adebayo Edun is expected to deliver the keynote address.
Other dignitaries expected at the high profile submit also includes, the regional parliamentary leaders and Auditors-General who in their capacity will also be made to deliver goodwill messages.
PAC Chairman, therefore used the opportunity of the press briefing to make a passionate appealed to Journalists to give the Confrence a comprehensive coverage it deserved noting that it’s not just about the Confrence but an opportunity to showcasing Nigeria’s leadership in promoting transparency and accountability across several facet of governance.
He appealed: “This is a unique opportunity to project our country as a continental hub for fiscal responsibility,”
He maintained that a major highlights of the upcoming conference will be the adoption of country-specific action plans.
These blueprints according to the lawmaker will help in providing a guide to member states in order to strengthen their parliamentary oversight roles as well as in creating practical reforms for the purpose of addressing the growing challenge of public debt.
During the conclusion, he revealed participants will be expected to leave to their different countries and region a renewed commitments and actionable strategies that will shape the debt management landscape of West Africa.
Observers say the 11th WAAPAC Conference will not just be another meeting, but a watershed moment in Africa’s quest for debt transparency and sustainable economic governance.
The confrence accordin g organizers will place Nigeria in a better position to champion fiscal accountability within and outside the continent.
Earlier, while responding to questions fielded by Journalists, Hon Bamidele disclosed that a powerful inter ministerial committee was set up by the Speaker, Hon Tajudeen Abbas in order to ensure an effective and successful regional submit.
